Amitriptyline

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Hello

Has anyone taken this Med? I was given this by my Doctor recently in the UK.
its 25mg...so quite a low dose

I have been taking Antidepressants on and off for a number of years, but have always suffered murderous side
effects (Insomnia, Headaches, ED, etc.). This is one of the few I have'nt tried.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

I tried it once. It made me feel disoriented and intensely distressed. But I tend to react badly to meds.

I really didn't like it. I haven't had any success with SSRI's (sertraline, citalopram, etc) and a doc prescribed me amitriptyline and found it very heavy going so did not continue with it. I was tried on mirtazipine for a while after that which I found to be very sedating.

Personally, I didn't get on with it and my most recent doctor seemed shocked that it was prescribed in the first place. If you are having trouble finding an antidepressant that suits, it might be worth talking to your doctor about trying other drug classes such as SNRIs (e.g. venlafaxine) which are a little less harsh and also safer in overdose.

I have been taking amitriptyline since 1998, 25mg just like you. It made a world of difference in my anxiety level. It helped me sleep some better. For better sleep I tried a larger dose but it gave me tachycardia so I went back to 25mg.

I've been on it twice. Once up to 70mg. The last time at 30mg. My 2nd time I had some pretty bad flu like symptoms for about 2 to 3 weeks before they subsided. The first time I used it for sleep/pain. The 2nd time I used it for sleep/IBS. It helped with anxiety and depression the 2nd time but only for 3 months. It helped with sleep but never for anything else.

I've never heard of Amitriptyline. I don't even know how to pronounce it. Does it really work? Maybe I should try it sometime. However, I don't like the sound of those side effects. Perhaps I shouldn't take it.

I was on it for a few years back in the 80s/90s. It's an old school tricyclic antipressant and for me it was subtle and fairly effective I think. I suggest anyone to try it if they don't do well on SSRIs.

Rejuvenating an old thread:

Has anyone else tried this med? I took 10 mg on Saturday evening because it is supposed to be sedating. It did the opposite. Within five minutes I was absolutely wired and buzzing. It felt like a narcotic, like I was on speed or something (although I've never had speed IRL ...) I was wide awake with insomnia all night because it made me so hyper. I feel like I'm still coming down from it.

I'm never taking it again. It was crazy!

Amitriptyline

US Brand Names: Elavil and Vanatrip

Description: Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. It works on the central nervous system (CNS) to increase levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available as a tablet.

Source: This Mayo Clinic Article.

Mine was prescription, at a very low dose intended for sedation rather than as an antidepressant.

I guess you had a paradoxical reaction if you felt wired. Are you using it for sleep? Maybe try Doxepin instead, it's arguably more sedating than amitriptyline.

I was one of the many antidepressants that was tried on me before they worked out I had Bipolar. I can't remember much about it other than it didn't do much for me.

I’m thinking allergic reaction, actually, though a relatively minor one.

I've been getting it on prescription at 150mg a day for over a decade now. It's been an absolute Godsend to me, the only anti-depressant I've ever taken that's really worked. The only unfortunate side-effects seem to be drowsiness and a bit of weight gain, and the former isn't a problem for me as I take it a couple of hours before bedtime and it helps my over-active brain to sleep.

I'm not entirely surprised that others have had a different experience, though. The effects of anti-depressants are hit-and-miss and can vary from person to person.