About Amitriptyline 10 mg Tablet
Amitriptyline 10 mg Tablet contains Amitriptyline 10 mg. This medicine is used to treat depression, and at lower doses for long-lasting nerve pain and to help prevent migraine and tension headaches. It is usually taken at night because it can make you sleepy. It must not be stopped suddenly, and it can be very dangerous in overdose.
Uses of Amitriptyline 10 mg Tablet
- Depression
- Long-term nerve pain (such as from diabetes or shingles)
- Prevention of migraine and tension-type headaches
Benefits
In depression
It can lift mood and improve sleep and appetite. It may take 2 to 4 weeks or longer to start working, so keep taking it.
In nerve pain and headache prevention
At low doses, it can reduce long-lasting nerve pain and how often headaches happen, and may help you sleep better.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Dizziness on standing
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain
- Sweating
Get medical help if you notice
- Thoughts of harming yourself or worsening mood, especially in young people or when starting or changing the dose — contact your doctor straight away
- Fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat, or fainting — get medical help straight away
- Eye pain or sudden blurred vision — get medical help
- Difficulty passing urine — contact your doctor
- Fits, confusion, high fever or muscle stiffness — seek emergency care
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day in the evening or at bedtime. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food. Do not stop taking it suddenly.
How it works
It increases the levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline. This helps lift mood and also changes how pain signals travel along nerves.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It increases drowsiness and can be dangerous with this medicine.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Do not stop suddenly if you become pregnant; talk to your doctor.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Small amounts pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease; your doctor may use a lower dose.
If you miss a dose
If you take it at night and miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose, as this can cause drowsiness the next day.
Quick tips
- Take it at bedtime to help with drowsiness.
- Do not stop it suddenly — your doctor will lower the dose slowly.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying to avoid dizziness.
- Store it safely and keep it out of reach of children; overdose is very dangerous.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, glaucoma, epilepsy or difficulty passing urine.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dibenzocycloheptene derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Mental health / neurology
- Action class
- Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| MAOI antidepressants | Must not be taken together or within 14 days — serious reactions |
| SSRIs, tramadol, triptans | Higher risk of serotonin syndrome (agitation, sweating, fever, shaking) |
| Fluoxetine, paroxetine | Raise amitriptyline levels |
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm | Higher risk of heart rhythm problems |
| Alcohol, sedatives, sleeping pills | Increased drowsiness |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Amitriptyline hydrochloride prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: amitriptyline hydrochloride). Pharmacist review pending.