It will inform you about potential advantages and concerns about taking amitriptyline.
What Amitriptyline Does
Amitriptyline is atricyclic antidepressant.
Amitriptyline is not a narcotic (opioid) drug.
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It works by increasing serotonin levels in your brain.
Amitriptyline is the most studied of all the tricyclic antidepressants and has been in use since the 1960s.
Why Was Elavil Discontinued?
Drug manufacturer AstraZeneca discontinued Elavil in 2003 after reports of potential cardiovascular side effects.
“The generic versionamitriptylineis still available in the United States.
Off-Label Use of Elavil for Back Pain
Elavil is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat chronic back pain.
For back pain, Elavil is most often used along with other medications.
Medications that are used in this way are referred to asadjuvant pain medications.
You may also have tingling or a pinprick sensation in your arm or leg.
The researchers found that while both were effective pain relievers, only amitriptyline significantly reduced disability as well.
Other Uses
Amitriptyline is typically used to treat depression, anxiety, and related conditions.
The newer antidepressants may be a better choice for people age 65 or older.
A few less serious Elavil side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
There are a number of drugs that interact with amitriptyline.
Interactions between Elavil and some other drugs can increase the amount of amitriptyline in your blood.
In turn, this may increase the side effects of the medication.
For example, the herbal preparation St. John’s Wort should not be used with amitriptyline.
Contraindications
There are some instances in which it is best to avoid taking amitriptyline altogether.
These instances are referred to as “contraindications.”
Alternatives
Other tricyclic antidepressants can be used as adjuvants to treat back pain.
These include:
Is Amitriptyline the Same Drug as Gabapentin?
While amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant, gabapentin is an anticonvulsant (anti-epileptic) drug.
This bang out of pain tends to be one of the more difficult types of pain to treat.
A smaller dose is usually used.
In addition, several drugs can interact with amitriptyline.
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