Studies have shown that children and teenagers =
who take=20
antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as amitriptyline may be =
more=20
likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or =
try to=20
do so than children who do not take antidepressants. Children =
younger than=20
18 years of age should not normally take amitriptyline.If your =
child=E2=80=99s=20
doctor has prescribed amitriptyline for your child, you should =
watch his=20
or her behavior very carefully, especially at the beginning of =
treatment=20
and any time his or her dose is increased or decreased. Your child =
may=20
develop serious symptoms very suddenly, so it is important to pay=20
attention to his or her behavior every day. Call your =
child=E2=80=99s doctor right=20
away if he or she experiences any of these symptoms: new or =
worsening=20
depression; thinking about harming or killing him- or herself or =
planning=20
or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; =
difficulty=20
falling or staying asleep; irritability; aggressive behavior; =
acting=20
without thinking; severe restlessness; frenzied abnormal =
excitement, or=20
any other sudden or unusual changes in behavior.Your =
child=E2=80=99s doctor will=20
want to see your child often while he or she is taking =
amitriptyline,=20
especially at the beginning of his or her treatment.Your =
child=E2=80=99s doctor=20
may also want to speak with you or your child by telephone from =
time to=20
time. Be sure that your child keeps all appointments for office =
visits or=20
telephone conversations with his or her doctor.Your child's doctor =
or=20
pharmacist will give you the manufacturer=E2=80=99s patient =
information sheet=20
(Medication Guide) when your child begins treatment with =
amitriptyline.=20
Read the information carefully and ask your child's doctor or =
pharmacist=20
if you have any questions. You also can obtain the Medication =
Guide from=20
the FDA website:=20
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/MG_template.pdf.Talk =
to your=20
child=E2=80=99s doctor about the risks of giving amitriptyline to =
your=20
child.
Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of =
depression.=20
Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic =
antidepressants. It=20
works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the=20
brain.
Amitriptyline comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It =
is=20
usually taken one to four times a day. To help you remember to take=20
amitriptyline, take it around the same time every day. Follow the =
directions on=20
your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to =
explain=20
any part you do not understand. Take amitriptyline exactly as directed. =
Do not=20
take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your=20
doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of =
amitriptyline and gradually increase your dose.
It may take a few weeks or longer before you feel =
the full=20
benefit of amitriptyline. Continue to take amitriptyline even if you =
feel well.=20
Do not stop taking amitriptyline without talking to your doctor. =
Stopping=20
amitriptyline suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms (upset stomach, =
headache,=20
and lack of energy). Your doctor will probably decrease your dose=20
gradually.
Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat =
chronic pain,=20
eating disorders, and certain skin problems. Talk to your doctor about =
the=20
possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; =
ask your=20
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to =
amitriptyline or=20
any other medications.=20
do not take amitriptyline if you are taking monoamine oxidase =
(MAO)=20
inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine =
(Parnate), or=20
have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks; or if you are taking =
cisapride (Propulsid).=20
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and=20
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and =
herbal=20
products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following:=20
antihistamines; cimetidine (Tagamet); diet pills; disulfiram =
(Antabuse);=20
ethchlorvynol (Placidyl); guanethidine (Ismelin); ipratropium =
(Atrovent);=20
quinidine (Quinidex); medications for irregular heartbeats such as =
flecainide=20
(Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol); medications for anxiety, asthma, =
colds,=20
irritable bowel disease, mental illness, nausea, Parkinson's disease,=20
seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; other antidepressants; =
phenobarbital=20
(Bellatal, Solfoton); sedatives; selective serotonin reuptake =
inhibitors=20
(SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), =
fluvoxamine=20
(Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); sleeping pills; =
thyroid=20
medications; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the =
doses of=20
your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.=20
tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever =
had=20
depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to =
abnormally=20
excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you or =
anyone in=20
your family has thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your =
doctor if=20
you drink large amounts of alcohol; if you have recently had a heart =
attack;=20
and if you have or have ever had glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; =
difficulty=20
urinating; seizures; an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism); =
diabetes;=20
or liver, kidney, or heart disease.=20
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or =
are=20
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking amitriptyline, =
call your=20
doctor immediately.=20
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the =
doctor or=20
dentist that you are taking amitriptyline.=20
you should know that amitriptyline may make you drowsy. Do not =
drive a car=20
or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.=20
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this =
medication.=20
you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected =
ways,=20
especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your =
dose is=20
increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you =
have=20
depression or another mental illness, whether or not you are taking=20
amitriptyline or any other medication. You, your family, or your =
caregiver=20
should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the =
following=20
symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or =
killing=20
yourself or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; =
panic=20
attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive =
behavior;=20
irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and =
frenzied=20
abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which =
symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are =
unable to=20
seek treatment on your own.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?Return=20
to top
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue =
your normal=20
diet.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. =
However, if=20
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue =
your=20
regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a =
missed=20
one.
Amitriptyline may cause side effects. Tell your =
doctor if any=20
of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
upset stomach=20
vomiting=20
drowsiness=20
weakness or tiredness=20
excitement or anxiety=20
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep=20
nightmares=20
restlessness=20
headaches=20
dry mouth=20
constipation=20
difficulty urinating=20
blurred vision=20
pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet=20
changes in sex drive or ability=20
excessive sweating=20
changes in appetite or weight=20
confusion=20
unsteadiness
Some side effects can be serious. The following =
symptoms are=20
uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the =
IMPORTANT=20
WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
slow or difficult speech=20
dizziness or faintness=20
weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg=20
crushing chest pain=20
rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat=20
severe skin rash or hives=20
swelling of the face and tongue=20
yellowing of the skin or eyes=20
jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms=20
shaking hands that you cannot control=20
difficulty sitting still=20
fainting=20
unusual bleeding or bruising=20
seizures=20
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating) =
Amitriptyline may cause other side effects. Call =
your doctor=20
if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?Return=20
to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, =
tightly=20
closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and =
away from=20
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any =
medication that=20
is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the =
proper=20
disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control =
center at=20
1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call =
local=20
emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
irregular hearbeat=20
seizures=20
coma=20
confusion=20
problems concentrating=20
seeing things that do not exist (hallucinating)=20
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the =
laboratory.=20
Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to =
amitriptyline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask =
your=20
pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your =
prescription.
The MedMaster=E2=84=A2 Patient Drug Information =
database provides=20
information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System =
Pharmacists,=20
Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright=C2=A9 2004. All Rights Reserved. =