Generic Name
Amitriptyline
Brand Name
Elavil, Levate
Class
Tricyclic antidepressant
Proposed Mechanism(s) of Action
Increases available norepinephrine and serotonin, blocks serotonin reuptake, and may desensitize both serotonins 1A and beta adrenergic receptors.
Indication
Depression
Off-Label Use
Postherpetic neuralgia, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, headache, eating disorder, and insomnia.
Side Effects
Serious
Paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, lowered seizure threshold, sudden death, cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, QTc prolongation, hepatic failure, mania, and potential for activation of suicidal ideation.
Common
Blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, increased appetite, dry mouth, diarrhea, heartburn, weight gain, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, sweating, rash, and itching.
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References and Readings
Physicians’ Desk Reference, (71st ed.). (2017). Montvale: Thomson PDR.
Stahl, S. M. (2007). Essential psychopharmacology: The prescriber’s guide (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Information
Drug Interaction Effects. http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html.
Drug Molecule Images. http://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/.
Free Drug Online and PDA Software. www.epocrates.com.
Free Drug Online and PDA Software. www.medscape.com.
Gene-Based Estimate of Drug interactions. http://mhc.daytondcs.com:8080/cgi bin/ddiD4?ver=4&task=getDrugList.
Pill Identification. http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html.
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Gonzalez, E. (2018). Amitriptyline. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1625
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1625
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