| This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat
people who are depressed. Another use for this drug is the treatment of
chronic pain and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Inactive ingredients:Calcium Phosphate, Cellulose, Colloidal Silicon
Dioxide, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Lactose,
Magnesium Stearate, Starch, Stearic Acid, Talc, and Titanium Dioxide and
FD&C Blue.
Directions: Consult your doctor for the exact dosage and how often you
should take your medicine. Amitriptyline may be taken on an empty or full
stomach. this medication should be kept at room temperature in a closed
container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep all medicine
out of the reach of children.
Recommended dosages: Most outpatients take 75mg of amitriptyline a day in
divided doses.Your doctor may increase this dose to a total of 150 mg per
day if necessary. Increases are made preferably in the late afternoon
and/or bedtime doses. It may take as long as 30 days to attain a
therapeutic effect.
Hospitalized patients may take a dose of 100 mg a day in the beginning.
This may be gradually increased to 200 mg a day if necessary.
The usual maintenance dosage of amitriptyline HCl is 50 to 100 mg per day.
In some patients 40 mg per day is an acceptable dose. For maintenance
therapy the total daily dosage may be given in a single dose preferably at
bedtime. When the patient sows satisfactory improvement the dosage should
be reduced to the lowest amount that will still maintain relief of
symptoms. It is recommended to continue maintenance dosing for 3 months or
longer to lessen the possibility of relapse.
-If you miss a dose and more than one dose is taken per day, take the
missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next
dose.
-If only one dose at bedtime is taken, you should not use the missed dose
in the morning. Also you should not take two pills at the same time.
-Continue to take this medication EVEN if you feel better.
-Do not drink alchohol while taking this medication.
Warning: A few weeks may pass before you start feeling the full affects of
this medicine. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE. Check with your doctor
before halting any medication. Remember to keep all of your doctor
appointments while taking this medication. Do not use this medication if
you are currently also taking astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine, or
tramadol. Inform your doctor if you are also taking the following
medicines while taking Amitriptyline: carbamazepine, cimetidine, dicumarol,
clonidine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, guanadrel,guanethidine, guanfacine, a
macrolide antibiotic, mibefradil, paroxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI), or a phenothiazine.
Amitriptyline may increase or decrease blood sugar levels. |