What condition does Amitriptyline HCL treat?
Amitriptyline HCL is used for the treatment of depression. This medicine may help improve mood and feelings of well-being. This will also help you sleep better, relieve anxiety, and increase your energy level. Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects the way you think and how you act or feel. This condition causes feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
This is a prescription approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This medication belongs to the class of tricyclic antidepressants. This affects the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain. Amitriptyline HCL rebalances the chemicals in the central nervous system that can relieve pain, improve sleep, and relax the muscle.
How does Amitriptyline HCL work?
Amitriptyline HCL works by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters called noradrenaline and serotonin in the brain. Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Noradrenaline and serotonin are known to be involved in regulating mood, emotions, and behavior.
In depression, less noradrenaline and serotonin than normal are released from nerve cells in the brain. Amitriptyline stretches the effects of noradrenaline and serotonin that have been released in the brain. Over time this helps to lighten the mood and relieve depression.
What is the recommended dosage for Amitriptyline HCL?
This prescription is to be taken by mouth usually 1 to 4 times a day. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a full glass of water. If you are taking this once a day, take it at bedtime to help you reduce daytime sleepiness. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to it.
Remember to take each dose at the same time each day. Take it exactly as it is prescribed. Do not take more or less than it is given. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor right away.
What are the side effects of Amitriptyline HCL?
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Stuffy nose
- Blurred vision
Warnings and Precautions
- You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies before using this.
- Inform also your doctor if you have a history of mental illness, heart or liver disease.
- This is not recommended for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor first.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take this medicine.
- Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
- You should know that this medicine may make you drowsy. Do not operate machinery or drive a car until you know how this medication affects you.
- Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take this medicine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
