Amitriptyline belongs to a class of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants. It is believed to function by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, which can enhance mood. Additionally, it alters how nerves perceive pain signals, effectively reducing pain. This makes amitriptyline useful for treating symptoms related to pain relief or migraines.

Some medicines may affect the action of other medicines and cause serious side effects. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, nialamide, or tranylcypromine (used to treat depression), or selegiline (used to treat Parkinson’s disease), which should not be taken with Amitriptyline tablets. Other medicines to be cautious of include adrenaline, ephedrine, isoprenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephrine, and phenylpropanolamine (found in some cough or cold medicines and anaesthetics); high blood pressure medications like calcium-channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), guanethidine, betanidine, clonidine, reserpine, and methyldopa; anticholinergic drugs for Parkinson’s disease and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., atropine, hyoscyamine); thioridazine (for schizophrenia); painkillers like nefopam, tramadol, and morphine; buprenorphine (for severe pain or opioid addiction), which may cause symptoms like muscle contractions, agitation, hallucinations, coma, excessive sweating, tremors, increased reflexes, muscle tension, and high body temperature; antifungal medications (e.g., fluconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole, itraconazole); sedatives (e.g., barbiturates); antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs like fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, duloxetine, bupropion); certain heart medications (e.g., beta blockers, antiarrhythmics); cimetidine (for stomach ulcers); and methylphenidate (for ADHD). Contact your doctor if you experience any adverse symptoms. For a full list refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

Side effects of Amitriptyline have been reported with varying frequencies. Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) include sleepiness or drowsiness, shakiness of hands or other body parts, dizziness, headaches, dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), irregular, hard, or rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, excessive sweating, weight gain, slurred or slow speech, aggression, and a congested nose. Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) include confusion, sexual disturbances (decreased sex drive, problems with erection), disturbance in attention, changes in taste, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, disturbed coordination, dilated pupils, heart block, fatigue, low sodium concentration in the blood, agitation, urination disorders, and feeling thirsty. Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) include excitement, anxiety, difficulties sleeping, and nightmares. For a full list refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.