Wednesday, April 24, 2024
HomeExclusiveCan Amitriptyline Be Used For Anxiety

Can Amitriptyline Be Used For Anxiety

Does Amitriptyline Change My Personality

Amitriptyline for Depression and Anxiety

Many people worry that antidepressants will alter their personality or change who they are. As long as youre taking the right dosage, amitriptyline will not change your personality or blunt your emotions. Actually, it will help you feel like yourself again by improving your mood, reducing your anxiety, and helping you let go of worries.

Just remember that your symptoms wont improve overnight. Keep taking your medication as prescribedeven when you start to feel betterand talk to your Brightside provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Are There Any Potential Side Effects

Drowsiness/sedation, constipation, dry mouth, and urinary retention are the most common side effects. Less commonly, dogs may exhibit hyperexcitability, irregular heart rhythms, and rarely may develop seizures. Other side effects can occur, such as decreased blood cell counts, vomiting, diarrhea, or endocrine problems .

Side effects in cats may include sedation, increased salivation, urinary retention, anorexia, vomiting, incoordination, disorientation, unkempt hair coat, or heart arrhythmias. Bloodwork may show decreased platelets or white blood cells,.

This moderate-acting medication should stop working in a few days, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.

About Amitriptyline For Cats

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication. It goes by the brand name Elavil and is also available as a generic. It is commonly used to treat cats for behavior disorders including stress or anxiety-related inappropriate urination and other stress-related behavioral problems.

Other stress-related behavior problems in cats can include excessive grooming or barbering, ingesting non-edible items , hiding, conflicts with housemates, and defecating outside of the litterbox.

It has also been found useful as an added medication to treat cats for itching and scratching that doesnt respond well to other medications.

A veterinarian may also consider it for certain types of chronic pain, usually associated with neuropathic, or nerve-related pain, especially if some other primary pain medications have been tried already.

Also Check: Do I Have Generalized Anxiety Disorder

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Amitriptyline comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken one to four times a day. Take amitriptyline at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amitriptyline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of amitriptyline and gradually increase your dose.

It may take a few weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of amitriptyline. Continue to take amitriptyline even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amitriptyline without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking amitriptyline, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headache, and lack of energy. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

About Amitriptyline For Depression

Can Amitriptyline Be Used For Anxiety

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medicine. It’s used to treat low mood and depression.

This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets and as a liquid.

Amitriptyline is also used for some types of pain and to prevent migraines. Find out more about amitriptyline for pain and migraine.

Read Also: What Pills Help With Anxiety

Amitriptyline 10mg Tablets Bp

This information is intended for use by health professionals

AMITRIPTYLINE TABLETS BP 10mg

Each tablet contains 10mg Amitriptyline Hydrochloride.

Excipient with known effect:

Each tablet contains 55.94 mg of lactose monohydrate.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

The treatment of major depressive disorder in adults

The treatment of neuropathic pain in adults

The prophylactic treatment of chronic tension type headache in adults

The prophylactic treatment of migraine in adults

The treatment of nocturnal enuresis in children aged 6 years and above when organic pathology, including spina bifida and related disorders, have been excluded and no response has been achieved to all other non-drug and drug treatments, including antispasmodics and vasopressin- related products. This medicinal product should only be prescribed by a healthcare professional with expertise in the management of persistent enuresis.

Posology

Not all dosage schemes can be achieved with all the pharmaceutical forms/strengths. The appropriate formulation/strength should be selected for the starting doses and any subsequent dose increments.

Major depressive disorder

Dosage should be initiated at a low level and increased gradually, noting carefully the clinical response and any evidence of intolerability.

Adults

Initially 25 mg 2 times daily . If necessary, the dose can be increased by 25 mg every other day up to 150 mg daily divided into two doses.

Initially 10 mg 25 mg daily.

Adults

Are There Any Risk Factors For This Medication

Amitriptyline should not be used if there is a history of sensitivity to other tricyclic antidepressants. It should be used with extreme caution in pets with seizure disorders. Amitriptyline should be used with caution in pets with thyroid disease, urinary retention, liver disorders, dry eye , glaucoma, heart arrhythmias, diabetes, or adrenal gland tumors.

There are also many potential drug interactions, but monoamine oxidase inhibitors or flea collars should not be used while your pet is taking amitriptyline.

Amitriptylines use in pregnant or lactating animals is not recommended unless the benefits unquestionably outweigh the risks. It should be used with caution in very young or geriatric/elderly pets.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Treatment For Anxiety

Amitriptyline 10mg For Headaches And Anxiety Please Share

Jackie2016

Hi, I am new to the forum.

I have struggled for many years with health and general anxiety, i am at a ppoint now that I have to hold my hands up and admit I cant do this on my own anymore.

I am on day 3 of taking the amitriptyline, i am scared every time i take it, what could happen.

Please can you ahre your experiicene, if you have taken ami for the reasons i shared and has it worked for you.

I have a busy job, mum and wife and need to be able to still do all these things.

Also, i enjoy a glass of wine, can you ahve a drink, miss a dose??

I look forward to the replys.

  • Posted 5 years ago

    Both me and my best friend is on ami. In my case its 10 mg for depression and anxiety. It helps me, no doubt, and no bi effects yet. I had some glasses of wine with it and all good. If i go out for a wet evening i skip that days pill.

    My friend have neuro pains and very resistant to pills. So hes on 120 mg and almost no effect except get to sleep on it.

    He says ami very good for his anxiety but not good over time as he needs high doses and gives bi effects. He cant drink at all on ami.

    No need to be afraid taking it

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for your comment it is reassuring to hear other peoples experiences.

    I am going to stick with it and see. I already miss my wine, and only been 4 days. Not that I drank every night, but almost most weekends.

    Thanks again

Appendix 1 Methodological Considerations For Chronic Pain

Amitriptyline

There have been several recent changes in how the efficacy of conventional and unconventional treatments is assessed in chronic painful conditions. The outcomes are now better defined, particularly with new criteria for what constitutes moderate or substantial benefit older trials may only report participants with ‘any improvement’. Newer trials tend to be larger, avoiding problems from the random play of chance. Newer trials also tend to be of longer duration, up to 12 weeks, and longer trials provide a more rigorous and valid assessment of efficacy in chronic conditions. New standards have evolved for assessing efficacy in neuropathic pain, and we are now applying stricter criteria for the inclusion of trials and assessment of outcomes, and are more aware of problems that may affect our overall assessment. To summarise some of the recent insights that must be considered in this new review:

  • Pain results tend to have a Ushaped distribution rather than a bellshaped distribution. This is true in acute pain , back pain , and arthritis , as well as in fibromyalgia in all cases average results usually describe the experience of almost noone in the trial. Data expressed as averages are potentially misleading, unless they can be proven to be suitable.

  • Individual patient analyses indicate that patients who get good pain relief have major benefits in many other outcomes, affecting quality of life in a significant way .

  • Also Check: How To Calm Anxiety In The Moment

    Is Amitriptyline Addictive

    Amitriptyline is generally considered non-addictive. However, some research has suggested that patients using tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, can develop a dependency on them. Other studies have suggested that amitriptyline can be misused to achieve a euphoric high.

    Talk with your provider about the potential risk of tricyclic antidepressant dependency before taking amitriptyline.

    How Is Amitriptyline Given

    Amitriptyline is given by mouth in the form of a tablet, and may be given with or without food. If vomiting occurs when given on an empty stomach, try giving future doses with food or a treat. Amitriptyline may also be specially compounded into a liquid form, please follow the use and storage recommendations on the label.

    This medication can take a few weeks before full effects are noted, but side effects can occur immediately. Gradual improvements are usually appreciable after a few days.

    Also Check: How To Use Essential Oils For Anxiety

    Description Of The Condition

    The 2011 International Association for the Study of Pain definition of neuropathic pain is “pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system” , and based on a definition agreed at an earlier consensus meeting . Neuropathic pain is cause by injury to the nervous tissue, either peripheral or central and it can be followed by plastic changes in the central nervous system . The origin of neuropathic pain is complex , and neuropathic pain features can be found in people with joint pain .

    Many people with neuropathic pain conditions are significantly disabled with moderate or severe pain for many years. Chronic pain conditions comprised five of the 11 topranking conditions for years lived with disability in 2010 , and are responsible for considerable loss of quality of life, employment, and increased healthcare costs .

    Neuropathic pain is usually divided according to the cause of nerve injury. There may be many causes, but some common causes of neuropathic pain include diabetes , shingles , amputation , neuropathic pain after surgery or trauma, stroke or spinal cord injury, trigeminal neuralgia , and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Sometimes the cause is not known.

    What Should I Know About Elavil And Suicide

    Can i take amitriptyline with citalopram, can i take ...

    Elavil, and all antidepressants, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. While this risk appears to be highest in people under age 24, it may impact the mental health of anyone who takes it. The risk is greatest when you first start the drug, whenever you increase your Elavil dosage, and whenever you reduce your dosage.

    If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

    For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

    Read Also: When To See A Psychiatrist For Anxiety

    How To Use Amitriptyline Hcl

    Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking amitriptyline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

    Take this medication by mouth, usually 1 to 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. If you take it only once a day, take it at bedtime to help reduce daytime sleepiness. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

    To reduce your risk of side effects , your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

    Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.

    Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, and sleep change. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

    Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens .

    So Is Amitryptiline Good For My Dog

    In addition to calming your dogs nerves, amitriptyline can have very beneficial effects on some behavioral issues that you may have been struggling with. Many dog owners report that, after beginning a regimen of amitriptyline, their dogs are less likely to dig up the yard or destroy household items. Incessant yapping no longer happens, and submissive urination stops. Of course, not all these behaviors are going to magically disappear in all dogs, but there should still be a dramatic improvement in problematic behavior.

    Weve already talked about side effects, but its worth reiterating that its very rare for a medication not to have at least the potential for side effects, and amitriptyline is no exception. If your dogs nervousness and/or behavioral issues are so severe as to be untreatable by means of training, positive reinforcement and other non-medicinal remedies, your vet might very well recommend amitriptyline. He or she should tell you about the potential side effects, but the foregoing information should tell you much of what you need to know.

    Dont think that this is all gloom and doom in fact, it is rare that amitriptyline will cause serious side effects. However, just to recap, it has been linked to seizures, muscle weakness and heart conditions. Bear in mind, though, that these side effects are not common.

    Recommended Reading: Can Menopause Cause Anxiety Attacks

    Amitriptyline Has Multiple Clinical Uses

    Amitriptyline has been around since the 1960s and was originally developed to treat depression. While its popularity in treating depression has declined over the years, itâs become increasingly prescribed for the treatment of insomnia.

    In the UK, itâs licensed as an antidepressant and is prescribed to treat:

    • major depressive disorder

    You can find additional information on this drug from the NICE website.

    Is 25 Mg Of Amitriptyline A Lot

    Amitriptyline (Elavil) : Meds Made Easy (MME)

    The results of starting amitriptyline are regarded as excellent for chronic pain sufferers. Initially, it is taken at a low dose and gradually increases in 10 or 25 mg increments each week up to 75 mg if the side effects are tolerable. If you are not going to exceed this dose, your doctor may counsel you.

    Read Also: How To Fight Depression And Anxiety

    RELATED ARTICLES
    - Advertisment -

    Most Popular

    - Advertisment -