Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline belongs to a class of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants but is rarely used as an antidepressant. It works on the central nervous system to increase certain chemicals in the brain, which improves pain. Please note: this page is only to be used as a reference of our price for this medication. If you are approved for Chronic Conditions medication, you will be offered treatment for you and the prescriber to jointly consider. However, the final decision will always be the prescriber’s.
When it comes to working as a painkiller, it may take at least 6 weeks for the full effects to sink in. It’s important to keep drinking it, even if you may not feel the effects immediately. Side-effects can occur if you suddenly stop taking the drug. Depending on your condition, you can take this antidepressant for months or even years. No lasting or harmful effects have been recorded by the people using them for long periods of time. You can expect changes in weight as this drug can affect your appetite. For example, some patients have reported feeling more hungry after taking it.
How does Amitriptyline work?
Since it belongs to tricyclic antidepressants, Amitriptyline increases the serotonin levels in your brain, which can drastically affect your overall mood. Additionally, it helps relieve pain by changing the way certain nerves in your body receive pain signals. Overall, you can expect this medication to affect the balance in the chemicals in your brain, which will lead to better moods and relief in pain.
What are the side-effects of using Amitriptyline?
Like all drugs and medicines, side-effects are guaranteed. You might experience most of these during the entire time you’re taking Amitriptyline. But there’s nothing to worry about as most of these side-effects are mild and will eventually wear off, especially if you’re only taking Amitriptyline for pain relief. But if some of these symptoms continue to persist, then you should immediately inform your doctor. Here are the most common side-effects people taking Amitriptyline experience:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty in peeing
- Headaches