Description

Amitriptyline generic is an antidepressant medication with the main active ingredient Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline medication has been developed for the first time in “Merck Sharp & Dohme” company laboratory in 1960 and in 1961 it was approved for use in the USA, and in 1962 in Italy and England.

The recommended use of Amitriptyline generic is for diagnosed severe depressive conditions of various forms of manifestation.

Pharmacokinetics

Amitriptyline is rapidly absorbed after administration. The bioavailability of the active substance is about 30-60%. AB is maximally, almost 96% bound to blood proteins and is maximally concentrated within 2-7 hours. Of the main characteristics, high permeability through the blood-brain barrier and the central nervous system, as well as through the placental barrier into breast milk can be noted. The active substance is mainly metabolized in the liver and excreted with urine for 31-46 hours.

If this product does not meet your needs or interests, you may want to look at Amoxil Amoxicillin Generic 500 mg 12 Caps. Please visit this link for further information on our Other Drugs

Clinical Pharmacology

Amitriptyline medication has a high antidepressant effect. The mechanism of action of the drug is to relieve depressive states, and to normalize the work of the brain.

In a depressed patient, Amitriptyline (Elavil) improves mood, reduces or relieves melancholy, lethargy, apathy, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and emotional tension. It increases mental activity, normalizes the phase structure and duration of sleep, and normalizes appetite. The medication is used for various forms of schizophrenia, bulimia, which has a nervous nature, migraine, to relieve pain, diabetic neuropathy, and nocturnal enuresis in children.

The drug may also be used to treat peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn, and dyspepsia. Amitriptyline generic is a broad-spectrum drug with high efficacy. Compared to other antidepressants, Amitriptyline has a good therapeutic effect at a low price.

Application

Amitriptyline (Elavil) is used for various forms of depression, especially if the patient additionally has anxiety or increased excitability. The doctor may also prescribe the drug for sleep disorders, depression resulting from brain damage, as well as depression resulting from the side effects of other drugs. It is also prescribed for pain arising in patients with malignant tumors.

Amitriptyline is started with a low dose, gradually increasing to the dose recommended by the doctor. Depending on the form of the disease, Amitriptyline 25mg is taken three times a day, gradually increasing the dosage, but not more than 150 mg per day. Exceeding the dose of 150 mg, if there is a need, is carried out in the hospital under the supervision of specialists. Amitriptyline25mg and Amitriptyline 50mg are used for comfort use.

Amitriptyline: Side Effects

Amitriptyline medication is generally well tolerated by most patients, but various side effects may occur

• High blood pressure
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Tremors of the hands
• Arrhythmia, tachycardia
• Pupil dilation decreased visual acuity
• Discomfort, violation of sensitivity
• Allergic reactions
• Darkening of the tongue
• Heartburn
• Jaundice
• Intestinal obstruction
• Reduced or increased appetite
• Enlarged salivary glands
• General weakness
• Memory impairment
• Aggressiveness
• Convulsions
• Decreased libido, potency
• Increased or decreased blood sugar levels
• Changes in blood tests

While taking Amitriptyline (Elavil) you may have a higher sedative effect, increased dryness of the mouth, and constipation.

Contraindications

If there is hypersensitivity to the drug, during the rehabilitation period after a heart attack, in heart rhythm disorders, during breastfeeding or pregnancy, or during alcohol poisoning Amitriptyline is not prescribed.

Recommendations for use

Amitriptyline (Elavil) should be taken with caution if there are signs of depression with suicidal tendencies, as well as delayed urination, thyroid dysfunction, prostate, severe liver disease, heart disease, diabetes with complications, and patients with rare hereditary diseases.

Amitriptyline has the ability to affect the reaction rate, so you need to be extremely careful when driving vehicles or working with any mechanisms. It is desirable to avoid driving motor transport during the treatment.

If it is necessary to increase the dose of Amitriptyline above 150 mg per day, you should go to a hospital for monitoring by specialists.

Overdose

Symptoms of Amitriptyline 25mg and Amitriptyline 50mg overdose may occur unnoticed and slowly, or in some cases abruptly and suddenly. Seizures, dry mucous membranes, fever, sudden suppression of the nervous system, reduction of consciousness to a state of coma and with breath-holding are possible. Different cardiac blockages with cardiac arrest. There may also be confusion, anxious agitation, and hallucinations.

Anapsique Dosage Plans

As the antidepressant is used for the treatment of other disorders, it is necessary to follow strictly the recommended dosage plan scheduled by your doctor. For example, children with anxiety and trouble sleeping will take fewer pills than adults with severe depression forms.

The average dose for kids and teenagers a day is only 0.1 mg of Elavil for sleep normalization and up to 0.25 mg of Elavil for migraines as the pain reliever or anti-anxiety medication.

Elavil for Depression Treatment

The healthcare specialist can prescribe this drug in case of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. These symptoms and disorders take place in the childhood, teenager, and adult age. That is why the recommended dosage can vary. It depends on the patient’s weight and the severity of the disease. Elavil for depression treatment is used according to the following dosage plan:

1. Antidepressant for children (the cumulative dosage plan): 1 mg of Amitriptyline per 1 kg a day (first 3 days). Then, the dose increases up to 1.5 mg of the active agent per 1 kg daily (7 days). The maximum dosage for children with anxiety and depression is 5 mg of Elavil a day. The treatment course usually lasts about 2 weeks. After the break (the rest time), the therapy can be repeated if necessary.

Example: The child with severe anxiety weighs 25 kg. The doctor prescribes 25 mg of Amitriptyline (1 pill of Anapsique 25 mg) a day for the first three days of the therapy. Then, the child gets a gradually increased dose – 37,5 mg of Elavil Amitriptyline daily (1,5 pill of Anapsique 25 mg). If the disorder continues to disturb the young patient, the healthcare specialist can raise the dosage for the last four days of the 2-week treatment course up to 50 mg of Amitriptyline a day (2 pills of Anapsique 25 mg or 1 pill of Anapsique 50 mg).

2. Antidepressant for adults (the cumulative dosage plan): 40-80 mg of Amitriptyline a day (first 3 days). Then, the dose increases up to 100-200 mg of the active agent daily (7 days). The maximum dosage for adults with anxiety and depression is 300 mg of Anapsique a day. The treatment course usually lasts about 3 weeks. The last week of the anti-depression treatment is notable for the gradually decreased doses of the drug (from 300 mg up to 40-80 mg up to the end of the medication therapy). After the break (the rest time), the course can be repeated if necessary.

Example: The adult patient with depression starts the treatment course. The doctor prescribes 50 mg of Amitriptyline (1 pill of Anapsique 50 mg) a day for the first three days of the therapy. Then, the patient gets a gradually increased dose – 100 mg of Elavil Amitriptyline daily, during the next four days (2 pills of Anapsique 50 mg). Then, the healthcare specialist raises the dosage for the second week of the 3-week treatment course up to 200 mg of Amitriptyline a day (4 pills of Anapsique 50 mg). The last week of the course is the dosage plan with the gradually decreased Elavil doses – from 200 mg of the active agent to 40-80 mg.

Anapsique for Pain Relief

Although the main active agents presented in this medication are widely used for antidepressive purposes, there are supplementary effects of Elavil. For example, this drug is applied for the treatment of painful sensations. It is some kind of anesthesia for patients who require pain relief (post-surgery period, severe cancer forms, etc.).

The dosage plan can vary according to different factors. When it comes to children, it is necessary to take into consideration the weight of the young patient. At the same time, adults should take a sufficient amount of medication to do away with the pain. Some difficult cases like chronic painful sensations in cancer patients or post-herpetic neuralgia are direct indications of increased dosage of Elavil.

The average dosage plan of using the drug for pain relief is:

• Children (the cumulative dosage plan): 1 mg per 1 kilo of the child’s weight. This is the starting dose for the treatment. It can be gradually increased up to 2 mg per 1 kg according to the doctor’s prescription.

• Adults (the cumulative dosage plan): 80-100 mg every 24 hours. If the pain is sharp and chronic, the daily dose can be increased in 5-7 days after the start of the therapy. The maximum dosage is 300-400 mg of Anapsique a day.

Amitriptyline for Migraines

It is worth noting that the generic is used for such pain sense modalities as chronic headaches. For example, Amitriptyline for migraines is a very common medication in Mexico and the USA. But the dosage plan can vary from the general one applied for patients with other painful sensations like diabetes or other forms of peripheral neuropathy.

The average dosage of the Amitriptyline for migraine treatment will be:

• For children (tolerated every 2 weeks of the medication course): 0.1-0.2 mg per 1 kilo of the child’s weight. The maximal dosage is 2 mg per 1 kilo of the young patient’s weight. For example, if the child weighs 30 kg, the migraine treated with the Elavil will require from 3 up to 6 mg (1/8 or 1/4 of Anapsique 25 mg a day). If a severe headache takes place, the daily dosage of Amitriptyline for migraine will be 60 mg (1 tablet of Anapsique 50 mg).

• For adults (the dosage can be increased if needed): 10-30 mg every 24 hours. The daily dose is specified by the healthcare specialist individually. If the adult patient feels severe migraine even after a week of the Elavil treatment, it is recommended to increase the dosage per day gradually. +10-20 mg every other day will be enough to monitor the course efficiency. Note that the maximum daily dose cannot be more than 300 mg a day. Do not use more than 5 tablets of Elavil 50 mg.

The missed pill should not be taken together with the new one scheduled. In case of doubled or tripled doses, the patient can face dangerous side effects. Overdosing may cause serious complications.

Sharp drop in blood pressure

If you overdose on Amitriptyline, you must be admitted to a hospital urgently, where symptomatic and supportive treatment will be prescribed.

Interaction with other medications

Amitriptyline should not be taken concomitantly with drugs that inhibit or delay physiological and physicochemical processes.

Amitriptyline should not be used in combination with the following drugs:

1. Drugs aimed at lowering blood pressure, because they may reduce their effectiveness
2. Antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic drugs due to the possibility of increased arrhythmias
3. Antifungal drugs, because they cause increased concentrations in the blood serum, which may lead to associated toxicity
4. Due to the simultaneous use of Amitriptyline with depressants, the sedative effect of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants may increase

Storage rules

Store Amitriptyline in a dry place, where the drug will not be exposed to strong heat, moisture or direct sunlight at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C. Limit access of children to the drug.

Side Effects & Overdosing

Check the list of contradictions before taking the medication. Among them are pregnancy, alcohol intoxication, allergy to amphetamine or hypersensitivity to other components of the drug, liver disorders, etc. Note that children under the age of 6 should be monitored by the doctor regularly to avoid side effects and overdosing. There is a range of Elavil intolerance if the therapy with MA inhibitors takes place.

Among side effects the patient can feel during the first week of treatment are nausea, decreased libido, fatigue, and allergic reactions. Usually, all these symptoms disappear when the organism starts to accumulate active agents of the medication. Nevertheless, some other side effects can take place:

• Drowsiness;

• Tremors;

• Arrhythmia;

• Stomatitis;

• Heartburn.

To avoid any side symptoms that touch the endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular systems, and gastrointestinal tract, follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Sometimes a healthy regimen and diet are required for better Elavil absorption and reducing unpleasant symptoms. Inform your doctor about adverse reactions that bring you discomfort.

If the patient overdoses on the medication, all the above-listed side effects progress and become extremely dangerous for health. If you can hardly breathe or have heart attacks, immediately contact your doctor. The altered state of consciousness is one more sign of overdosing. The patient should not be left alone during this period. Note that regular overdosing of Elavil leads to drug addiction.

Other Recommendations

Do not use alcoholic drinks while taking this medication. Consult your doctor about a proper diet if you are prescribed the drug as a pain reliever during the post-surgery period. Note that the first 5-7 days of the treatment are about serious changes in physical and mental health.

The patient can feel sad, tired, and lonely. It is recommended to avoid workouts and other intensive physical activities. Visit the doctor regularly if the depressed thought attacks you even after a week of the medication course. Pass blood tests regularly and visit your healthcare specialist at least one time every week for monitoring your health and the Elavil treatment efficiency.