Amitriptyline side effects in elderly

Is amitriptyline safe for elderly?

Tertiary amine tricyclics such as amitriptyline and imipramine have been reported to be effective in depressed geriatric patients, but because of their potential for side effects, it is not advisable to use them in the elderly .

What are the most common side effects of amitriptyline?

common SIDE EFFECTS FOR AMITRIPTYLINE dry mouth . headache . weight gain. constipation . trouble urinating. a sudden drop in blood pressure particularly when standing up from sitting. drowsiness or dizziness . blurry vision.

What drugs should not be taken with amitriptyline?

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors ( isocarboxazid , linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine , procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine ) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication.

Can taking amitriptyline long term cause problems?

Other long – term effects of Elavil include the medication’s ability to affect the body’s hormonal balance. This effect can result in swelling and tenderness of the breast tissue as well as testicular swelling for men. In some rare cases, amitriptyline can cause permanent liver and heart damage.

Is amitriptyline bad for your heart?

Amitriptyline may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

What is the safest antidepressant for the elderly?

Choice of antidepressant The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the newer antidepressants buproprion , mirtazapine, moclobemide, and venlafaxine (a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor or SNRI) are all relatively safe in the elderly.

Can you get addicted to amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is not addictive but you can get extra side effects if you stop taking it suddenly. You may have flu-like symptoms like feeling sick, muscle pain and feeling tired or restless.

Which is better for pain gabapentin or amitriptyline?

Both gabapentin and amitriptyline provided effective pain control in peripheral neuropathic pain . Additionally gabapentin was more effective especially in paroxysmal shooting pain than other pain qualities. And also gabapentin was tolerated well.

What kind of pain does amitriptyline treat?

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that is widely used to treat chronic neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage). It is recommended as a first line treatment in many guidelines. Neuropathic pain can be treated with antidepressant drugs in doses below those at which the drugs act as antidepressants.

Do I need to wean off 10mg amitriptyline?

If you’ve been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off amitriptyline . Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks – or longer, if you have been taking amitriptyline for a long time.

What is Amitriptyline 25 mg used to treat?

Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression . Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed to maintain mental balance.

Does amitriptyline cause memory loss?

Amitriptyline , a frequently prescribed tricyclic antidepressant, is reported to produce an age-related impairment in anterograde memory .

How does amitriptyline work for nerve pain?

It works on two chemicals, noradrenaline and serotonin, that are found in nerves . When amitriptyline is used to treat nerve pain , it lowers the pain signals to the brain. This helps to reduce the level of pain you experience, which can enable you to get back to your daily activities and have a better quality of life.

Why does amitriptyline cause weight gain?

A study was carried out in 6 healthy volunteers to test the hypothesis that weight gain associated with amitriptyline treatment may be due to hypoglycaemia caused by increased circulating blood insulin.

How do I wean off amitriptyline 10mg?

In general, wean gradually by 25% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is due to serious adverse effects, consider weaning faster. Substitution with other sedative medicines is not recommended as the same adverse effects and outcomes may occur.