Amitriptyline HCl is an antidepressant. Its mechanism of action isn’t understood. It’s not a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor also it doesn’t act primarily by stimulation of the CNS.

Amitriptyline inhibits the membrane heart mechanism responsible for uptake of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in serotonergic and adrenergic neurons. This action prolong or may potentiate activity since reuptake of the biogenic amines is essential physiologically. This hindrance with the reuptake of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine is considered by some to underlie the antidepressant action of amitriptyline.

Elavil side effects

Within each group the following side effects are recorded in of severity. Within the list are several adverse reactions that have yet to be reported with this particular drug. Nevertheless, pharmacological similarities among the tricyclic antidepressant drugs require that each one of the responses be considered when amitriptyline is administered.

Cardiovascular: Myocardial infarction; stroke; nonspecific ECG changes and changes in AV conduction; heart block; arrhythmias; hypotension, especially orthostatic hypotension; syncope; hypertension; tachycardia; palpitation.

CNS and Neuromuscular: Coma; seizures; hallucinations; delusions; confused states; disorientation; incoordination; ataxia; tremors; peripheral neuropathy; numbness, prickling, and paresthesias of the extremities; extrapyramidal symptoms including abnormal involuntary movements and tardive dyskinesia; dysarthria; disturbed concentration; excitement; anxiety; insomnia; restlessness; nightmares; drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; fatigue; headache; syndrome of inappropriate ADH (antidiuretic hormone) secretion; tinnitus; alteration in EEG patterns.

Anticholinergic: Paralytic intestinal obstruction; hyperpyrexia; urinary retention; dilatation of the urinary-tract; constipation vision increased pressure dry mouth.
Allergic: Skin rash; urticaria; photosensitization; edema of tongue and face.
Other: Alopecia; edema; weight-gain or decline frequency; increased perspiration.
Withdrawal Symptoms: After protracted administration, sudden cessation of therapy may produce headache, nausea, and malaise. Slow dosage decrease was reported to generate, within a couple of weeks symptoms including vision and sleep disruption.

These symptoms aren’t indicative of dependence. Rare cases are reported of hypomania or mania happening within 2-7 times following cessation of long-term treatment with TCAs.

Elavil dosage

Oral Dosage
Dosage ought to be started in a low-level and increased gradually, noting carefully the clinical response and any signs of intolerance.

First Dosage for Adults: For outpatients’ 75 mg day is generally sufficient. This can be raised to a total of 150 milligrams daily if needed. Growths are created rather in the day and bedtime doses. Evident before the antidepressant effect is noticed, but an acceptable therapeutic effect may take so long as 30 days to grow.

An alternative approach to starting {treatment in outpatients is to begin with 50 to 100-mg amitriptyline HCl. This could possibly be raised by 50 or 25 milligrams as essential to a total of 150 milligrams daily.

Hospitalized patients may need 100 milligrams a day. This is improved slowly to 200 milligrams a day if needed. A small number of hospitalized patients may need as much as 300 mg a day.
