Amitriptyline
Also known as: Amitriptyline hydrochloride
Therapeutic Indications
Amitriptyline is indicated for:
Neuropathic pain, prophylactic treatment of chronic tension type headache and migraine
Irrespective of gender only Elderly (65 years old or older)
Amitriptyline is indicated for:
- the treatment of neuropathic pain in adults
- the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension type headache (CTTH) in adults
- the prophylactic treatment of migraine in adults
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 10-150 mg
Major depressive disorder
Irrespective of gender only Elderly (65 years old or older)
Amitriptyline is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 10-150mg daily
Nocturnal enuresis
Irrespective of gender only Children (1 year - 12 years old) , Adolescents (12 years - 18 years old)
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 10-50 mg daily
Neuropathic pain, prophylactic treatment of chronic tension type headache and migraine
Irrespective of gender only Adults (18 - 65 years old)
Amitriptyline is indicated for:
- the treatment of neuropathic pain in adults
- the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension type headache (CTTH) in adults
- the prophylactic treatment of migraine in adults
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 10-150 mg
Major depressive disorder
Irrespective of gender only Adults (18 - 65 years old)
Amitriptyline is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 50-150 mg daily
Contraindications
Active ingredient Amitriptyline is contraindicated in the following cases:
Severe liver disease
No gender/age discrimination
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
No gender/age discrimination
Concomitant treatment of amitriptyline with MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) is contra-indicated.
Simultaneous administration of amitriptyline and MAOIs may cause serotonin syndrome (a combination of symptoms, possibly including agitation, confusion, tremor, myoclonus and hyperthermia).
Treatment with amitriptyline may be instituted 14 days after discontinuation of irreversible non-selective MAOIs and minimum one day after discontinuation of the reversible moclobemide. Treatment with MAOIs may be introduced 14 days after discontinuation of amitriptyline.
Pregnancy
No gender/age discrimination
For amitriptyline only limited clinical data are available regarding exposed pregnancies.
Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity. Amitriptyline is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary and only after careful consideration of the risk/benefit.
During chronic use and after administration in the final weeks of pregnancy, neonatal withdrawal symptoms can occur. This may include irritability, hypertonia, tremor, irregular breathing, poor drinking and loud crying and possibly anticholinergic symptoms (urinary retention, constipation).
Any degree of heart block or disorders of cardiac rhythm
No gender/age discrimination
Recent myocardial infarction
No gender/age discrimination
Coronary artery insufficiency
No gender/age discrimination