I am wondering about Amitriptyline (Elavil) effects / side effects (anti-depressant drug)?

Question

I have been on this drug for a little over a month to treat my depression and insomnia (I LOVE that I can actually sleep now, it's great). I started off taking 50 mg every night before bed, and just a few days ago my Dr upped my dosage to 100 mg/night. I was EXTREMELY exhausted and felt high all the time for the first week as I was getting used to the drug, but now I am used to it so I feel pretty much normal now (and not depressed, yay!).

I noticed a really weird side effect right off the bat, though. It is really hard for me to urinate now. I actually have to relax completely and concentrate to even be able to pee. It doesn't hurt or anything, it just takes me a really long time to pee. I read on Wikipedia that this drug is also used to treat night bedwetting, so I am wondering if difficulty urinating is one of the regular side effects.

Another question is how long is it safe to take this drug? I don't want to go off it in a year or something and then be all depressed again. Thx!

Answer 1

Dear Exdumpling***

Normally, your GP will provide you with a prescription for 6 months at first, visit GP, assessment and re-prescribe for a further 6 months. After every 6 months your GP needs to see you, and evaluate.

I have been on "Depramil" for 10 months, did not have your side-effects, but (when I first started) I could be shopping and the next minute would have to charge for the loo to relieve my waterfall!! Normally you would know when you needed the loo, so my GP prescribed pills for me to combat the side-effect. My body seems to have come to terms with Depramil and I no longer need the other pills.

love peppa-anne
******p.s. is there a reason why you take yours at night???????and not first thing in the morning????????

Answer 2

I actually took something related to this (Imipramine, another tricyclic antidepressant) for bedwetting when I was a kid. Apparently it has the effect of forcing the smooth muscle in the wall of the bladder to relax, so that the bladder can stretch out more and hold more urine during the night, reducing the chance of bedwetting. However, that same smooth muscle in the wall of the bladder does need to contract when you want to urinate in order to squeeze the urine out. So, yes, it would make sense that you'd have difficulty urinating, because your bladder muscles are essentially being put to sleep by the drug.

I don't think there's any long term threat to your health from this, so if the difficulty urinating doesn't bother you too much, you're probably OK. If it does really bother you, maybe you could talk to your doctor about lowering your dosage somewhat (maybe try 75 mg?) so that the effect on your bladder might not be as intense... and just try to find the best balance between keeping your depression under control and also being able to urinate without too much trouble. If that doesn't work, maybe you could just switch to another class of antidepressant; I don't think all of the different classes have the same effect on the bladder as tricylics do.

Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you!

Answer 3

Alcohol is incompatible with many of the drugs used to treat depression. It can intensify the sedative effects of some antidepressants. Chronic alcohol consumption can increase the availability of some antidepressants while decreasing the availability of others. Tyramine, a substance found in beer and wine, can interact with MAOIs potentially causing a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Consult your physician or pharmacist for specific precautions regarding your own medications.

Answer 4

How should I take amitriptyline?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amitriptyline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using amitriptyline suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using amitriptyline.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.


Amitriptyline Online ==> http://amitriptyline1.4gw.pw/2ba3i

Answer 5

Yes, some people on Elavil have difficultly urinating. You can take this drug longterm.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=12703&name=ELAVIL

Answer 6

Read about common Amitriptyline side effects and what other patients report here: http://patientsville.com/medication/amitriptyline_side_effects.htm

Answer 7

Elavil - generic Amitriptyline - is a tricyclic antidepressant. This is a catalog of side effects for the medication Amitriptyline - brand names Elavil and Endep, which is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; increased appetite (may include craving for sweets); nausea; tiredness or weakness (mild) ; unpleasant taste; weight gain

Less Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Diarrhea; heartburn; increased sweating; trouble in sleeping (more common with protriptyline, especially when taken late in the day); vomiting

Always Notify Doctor:

Less Common: Blurred vision; confusion or delirium; constipation (especially in the elderly); decreased sexual ability (more common with amoxapine and clomipramine); difficulty in speaking or swallowing; eye pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat (pounding, racing, skipping); hallucinations; loss of balance control; mask-like face; nervousness or restlessness; problems in urinating; shakiness or trembling; shuffling walk; slowed movements; stiffness of arms and legs

Rare: Anxiety; breast enlargement in both males and females; hair loss; inappropriate secretion of milk - in females; increased sensitivity to sunlight; irritability; muscle twitching; red or brownish spots on skin; ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained sounds in the ears; seizures (more common with clomipramine); skin rash and itching; sore throat and fever; swelling of face and tongue; swelling of testicles (more common with amoxapine); trouble with teeth or gums (more common with clomipramine); weakness; yellow eyes or skin

Withdrawal Effects - Notify Doctor:

Headache; irritability; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; restlessness; trouble in sleeping, with vivid dreams; unusual excitement

Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor:

Confusion; convulsions (seizures) ; disturbed concentration; drowsiness (severe); enlarged pupils; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); restlessness and agitation; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); vomiting

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you notice any other unusual side effects contact your doctor
http://www.drugs.com

Answer 8

Talk to the pharmacist. They can give you a copy of the paperwork that origionally came with your pills.