Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline is a white, odorless substance (which happens to taste like licorice), usually dispensed in oral form. Amitryptyline inhibits reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. Amitryptyline's side effect profile has made it less commonly prescribed, especially since new tricyclic drugs, heterocyclic antidepressants, and SSRIs have become very widely used. However, it is still considered a "baseline" antidepressant, a standard to measure other antidepressants by. Fast Facts:

1. Sold under the names Elavil, Tryptanol, Endep, and others
2. Approved usage for depression and bedwetting
3. Unapproved for headaches, insomnia, chronic pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and a number of other conditions
4. Common side effects: muscle stiffness, extreme weight gain, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea¹
5. Rare side effects: tinnitus, hypotension, mania, psychosis, arrhythmias, depression²
6. May take 2 to 3 weeks to feel the full benefit

Comparisons

Amitriptyline has been used in the past as a first-line antidepressant, but more recently has been recommended for inpatient use, where SSRIs are recommended for outpatient treatment, due to their less signficant side effect profile.³ However, despite the incidence of side effects that amitriptyline brings, it is still considered the 'reference antidepressant' by many providers.⁴ Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Amitriptyline.

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