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Amitriptyline Coupon - Amitriptyline 25mg tablet

amitriptyline

Generic Elavil
Used for Depression, Migraine
Used for Depression, Migraine

Amitriptyline is FDA approved to treat depression. But it isn't as commonly used today as other antidepressants because it can cause a lot of side effects, such as sleepiness and weight gain. In addition, amitriptyline has many interactions with other medications, including other antidepressants, sedatives, and antihistamines. But despite the side effects and interactions, amitriptyline is often used off label for nerve pain due to diabetes and migraine prevention. While its brand name Elavil is no longer available, amitriptyline is available as a generic medication.

Last reviewed on August 6, 2023
basics-icon

What is Amitriptyline?

What is Amitriptyline used for?

  • Depression

How Amitriptyline works

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It works by raising the levels of important chemicals in your brain that affect your mood, like serotonin and norepinephrine. This can help improve your mood.

Are you looking for information on nortriptyline (Pamelor) instead?
When does Amitriptyline start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsElavil (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassTricyclic antidepressant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$11.06(save 63.82%)
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$4.00
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basics-icon

What are the side effects of Amitriptyline?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain

Other Side Effects

  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Trouble urinating
  • Blurred vision
  • Skin sensitivity to sunlight
  • Hair loss
  • Changes in heart rate
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Heart attack: chest pain, cold sweats, left arm pain, difficulty breathing
  • Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, confusion, or difficulty talking
  • Serious allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, itching, fast heartbeat, tightness in the throat, dizziness, swelling in the face or tongue
When do Amitriptyline possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Sleepiness
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Constipation
Depression or thoughts of self-harm
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

agitation

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in urine or stools

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in consciousness

changes in patterns and rhythms of speech

chest pain or discomfort

chills

cold sweats

coma

confusion

confusion about identity, place, and time

continuing ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in ears

convulsions

cool, pale skin

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decrease in frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

decreased urine output

difficulty in breathing

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

difficulty in speaking

disturbance of accommodation

disturbed concentration

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

double vision

drooling

dry mouth

excitement

fainting

false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

fear or nervousness

fever with or without chills

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hearing loss

high fever

high or low blood pressure

hostility

inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles

inability to speak

increased hunger

increased need to urinate

increased ocular pressure

increased sweating

increased thirst

increased urination

irritability

lack of coordination

lethargy

light-colored stools

lip smacking or puckering

loss of appetite

loss of balance control

loss of bladder control

loss of consciousness

lower back or side pain

mental depression or anxiety

muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

muscle tightness

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

muscle twitching

nausea and vomiting

nightmares or unusually vivid dreams

overactive reflexes

painful or difficult urination

passing urine more often

pinpoint red spots on skin

poor coordination

pounding in the ears

puffing of cheeks

rapid or worm-like movements of tongue

rapid weight gain

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

severe muscle stiffness

shakiness and unsteady walk

shivering

shortness of breath

shuffling walk

sleeplessness

slow speech

slurred speech

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth

stiffness of limbs

stupor

sudden loss of consciousness

sweating

swelling of face, ankles, or hands

swelling or puffiness of face

swollen glands

talking or acting with excitement you cannot control

trouble in speaking

trouble sleeping

troubled breathing

twisting movements of body pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck

unable to sleep

uncontrolled chewing movements

uncontrolled movements, especially of arms, face, neck, back, and legs

unexplained weight loss

unpleasant breath odor

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusually pale skin

upper right abdominal pain

vomiting of blood

weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

weight gain or loss

yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of Overdose

Clumsiness

drowsiness

low body temperature

muscle aches

muscle weakness

sleepiness

tiredness

weak or feeble pulse

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of eye)

black tongue

bloating

breast enlargement in females

constipation

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

diarrhea

hair loss, thinning of hair

hives or welts

inability to have or keep an erection

increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

increased interest in sexual intercourse

increased sensitivity of eyes to light

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

loss of sense of taste

redness or other discoloration of skin

severe sunburn

skin rash

swelling of testicles

swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in males

swelling of the parotid glands

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Amitriptyline

thumbs-up

Pros

Available in many different strengths

Available as a lower-cost, generic form

Can take with or without food

thumbs-down

Cons

Has many unpleasant side effects compared to other antidepressants

Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it after long-term use

Not the best choice for people with heart problems, glaucoma, or seizures or people age 65 years and older

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Amitriptyline

pharmacist
  • You can take amitriptyline with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help.

    • Amitriptyline can take 1 to 2 months to work, so you might not feel your depression symptoms improve right away. Your provider might make adjustments to your dose over time to find the dose that works best for you.

      • Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking amitriptyline without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause bothersome withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, irritability, and sleep problems. Follow your provider's instructions to lower your dose slowly over a period of time to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

        • Antidepressant medications like amitriptyline can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts. Contact your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice any new or worsening changes in your behavior or mood while you're taking the medication.

          • Amitriptyline can make you sleepy and dizzy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how this medication affects you. These side effects might get better after you continue to take the medication for a few weeks.

            • Amitriptyline can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which means you can get sunburned more easily. When you go outside, make sure that you're wearing sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid a serious sunburn.

              • If you have diabetes, ask your provider whether you need to check your blood sugar regularly while using amitriptyline. This medication can cause your blood sugar to get too high or too low.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Amitriptyline

                Does amitriptyline cause weight gain?
                Yes, weight gain is one of the more common side effects from amitriptyline. Studies show that people gained 1 to 16 pounds while taking amitriptyline. The amount of weight you might gain can depend on your dose and how long you're taking the medication. To lower your risk for weight gain while taking amitriptyline, make sure to eat a healthy diet and follow a regular exercise routine. Contact your provider if you're uncomfortable with how much weight you've gained during treatment with amitriptyline. They might recommend medications to help you manage your weight or switch you to a different medication.
                Does amitriptyline make you sleepy?
                Yes, you can feel sleepy after you take amitriptyline. In fact, treatment guidelines for insomnia (trouble sleeping) list amitriptyline as an option, particularly for people who have trouble sleeping and depression at the same time. Because this medication can cause sleepiness, make sure you know how it affects you before driving or operating machinery to lower your risk for accidental injuries. If sleepiness from amitriptyline is impacting your daily activities, contact your provider.
                Is amitriptyline addictive?
                No. Amitriptyline isn't known to have a risk of addiction. It also doesn't have a risk of misuse or dependence. For this reason, amitriptyline isn't considered a controlled substance.
                How long does amitriptyline take to work for depression?
                You might start to feel improvements in your depression symptoms after about 2 to 4 weeks of starting amitriptyline. But keep in mind that it generally takes about 1 to 2 months of treatment for you to get the full benefits from antidepressants, including amitriptyline. You might feel some side effects, like sleepiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and nausea, before feeling any benefit from the medication. So don't get discouraged and continue taking amitriptyline regularly. If you're not sure whether amitriptyline is working for you, talk to your provider. Don't stop taking amitriptyline without talking to your provider first because you might get bothersome withdrawal symptoms, such as movement, sleeping, or stomach problems.
                How long does amitriptyline take to work for nerve pain?
                Amitriptyline is often used off label to help with nerve pain. You might feel nerve pain relief within a few weeks of starting amitriptyline. Keep in mind that you might feel side effects, like sleepiness, dry mouth, and dizziness, first before pain relief, but they should get better as you continue taking the medication. Don't get discouraged, and continue taking amitriptyline regularly. Let your provider know if you feel amitriptyline isn't working to relieve your pain.
                How long does amitriptyline stay in your system?
                It takes about 2 to 6 days for most of amitriptyline to leave your body after a single dose. Keep in mind that this time frame is an estimate based on the half-life of amitriptyline, a measurement of how long it takes for your body to clear half of the medication from your system. The time it takes to clear amitriptyline out of your system can differ from person to person depending on certain factors, such as your age or your genetics. If you're having side effects from amitriptyline, they might last up until the time it takes for the medication to clear out of your system.
                Is amitriptyline an SSRI?
                No, amitriptyline isn't an SSRI, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Instead, amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Both SSRIs and TCAs are antidepressants that are used to help with depression. But they differ slightly in how they work in the brain and what side effects they cause.
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                warings-icon

                What are the risks and warnings for Amitriptyline?

                Amitriptyline can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behavior

                • Risk factors: Age under 24 years old | History of depression or other mental health conditions

                  Taking amitriptyline can make your depression worse and cause you to have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. The risk is highest if you're 24 years of age or younger, during the first few weeks of taking the medication, and when your dose changes. If you or anyone around you notices that you have suicidal thoughts or unusual behavior (e.g., anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness) while taking amitriptyline, get medical help right away.

                  risk-warning

                  Not for use alone in bipolar disorder

                  Depression can be the first sign of bipolar disorder. If you're at risk for bipolar disorder, taking antidepressants, like amitriptyline, by themselves can trigger a bipolar manic episode. Before starting amitriptyline, your provider will check to see whether you have or are at risk for bipolar disorder. Amitriptyline isn't used to treat bipolar depression. Talk to your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice unusual changes in your behavior, such as racing thoughts, restlessness, getting easily distracted, or unusual talkativeness.

                  risk-warning

                  Risk of heart problems, heart attack, or stroke

                  • Risk factors: History of heart problems | Taking high doses of amitriptyline

                    It's possible for amitriptyline to affect your heart rhythm and cause a fast or irregular heart beat (e.g., arrhythmia). In addition, some people taking medications like amitriptyline have had a heart attack or stroke during treatment. If you have any heart problems or had a stroke before, talk to your provider before starting amitriptyline to see whether this medication is right for you.

                    risk-warning

                    Seizures

                    • Risk factors: History of seizures | Taking high doses of amitriptyline

                      Amitriptyline might raise your risk of seizures, especially when used at higher doses. If you've had a seizure before, discuss with your provider to see whether amitriptyline is right for you.

                      risk-warning

                      Glaucoma

                      • Risk factors: History of angle-closure glaucoma

                        Amitriptyline can lead to or worsen angle-closure glaucoma. You might need to see your optometrist regularly and get eye exams to check your eyes and make sure your vision isn't worsening. Contact your provider if you notice changes in your vision after starting amitriptyline.

                        risk-warning

                        Higher risk of falls

                        • Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure

                          Amitriptyline can make you feel tired. It can also lower your blood pressure, which can make you feel dizzy or lose your balance. These can all lead to accidental falls and injuries. When standing from a sitting or lying position, make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something. If you still feel dizzy after a couple weeks or experience a fall while taking amitriptyline, contact your provider. They might recommend that you switch to a different medication.

                          dosage

                          Amitriptyline dosage forms

                          The average cost for 30 tablets of 25mg of Amitriptyline is $4.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 63.82% off the average retail price of $11.06.
                          tablet
                          Tablet
                          DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                          10mg30 tablets$4.00$0.13
                          25mg30 tablets$4.00$0.13
                          50mg90 tablets$10.00$0.11
                          75mg90 tablets$10.00$0.11
                          100mg90 tablets$23.36$0.26
                          150mg30 tablets$18.99$0.63

                          Typical dosing for Amitriptyline

                          • Adults 18 to 64 years old: The typical dose is 50 mg to 100 mg by mouth per day. The dose is either split into several smaller doses throughout the day or taken as a single dose before bedtime. The maximum recommended dose is 150 mg per day.

                          • Children 12 to 17 years old and adults 65 years and older: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth three times per day along with 20 mg at bedtime.

                          Your provider will adjust your dose depending on how well you respond to the medication and whether you're having side effects.

                          More on Amitriptyline dosage forms

                          interactions

                          Interactions between Amitriptyline and other drugs

                          Amitriptyline may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Amitriptyline. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                          Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                          Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                          Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                          drug-cost

                          How much does Amitriptyline cost?

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                          contraindications-icon

                          Amitriptyline contraindications

                          Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Amitriptyline will not be safe for you to take.
                          • Currently taking or have taken an MAOI within the last 14 days

                          • Recent heart attack

                          alternatives

                          What are alternatives to Amitriptyline?

                          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Amitriptyline. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                          Amitriptyline
                          Used for:
                          • Depression

                          $4.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          Used for:
                          $4.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          Used for:
                          $13.42 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          latest news

                          What is the latest news about Amitriptyline?

                          images

                          Amitriptyline images

                          Green Round M 51 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "M 51".Green Round M 51 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round Gg 44 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Gg 44".Green Round Gg 44 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round Za 2 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Za 2".Green Round Za 2 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Brown Round I2 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Brown, Round Tablet Imprinted With "I2".Brown Round I2 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Yellow Round U And 420 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Yellow, Round Tablet Imprinted With "420" And "U".Yellow Round U And 420 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Yellow Round U And 420 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Yellow, Round Tablet Imprinted With "420" And "U".Yellow Round U And 420 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round Mp 25 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Mp 25".Green Round Mp 25 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round Ap 21 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Ap 21".Green Round Ap 21 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round 202 And Ls - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Ls" And "202".Green Round 202 And Ls - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Green Round 202 And Ls - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Green, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Ls" And "202".Green Round 202 And Ls - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Brown Round Logo 35 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Brown, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Logo 35".Brown Round Logo 35 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          Brown Round Logo 35 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet
                          This medicine is Brown, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Logo 35".Brown Round Logo 35 - Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25mg Tablet

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                          References

                          Best studies we found

                          Advagen Pharma Ltd. (2023). Amitriptyline hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                          Berken, G. H., et al. (1984). Weight gain. A side-effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Journal of Affective Disorders.

                          Dean, L. (2017). Amitriptyline therapy and CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotype. Medical Genetics Summaries.

                          View All References (10)

                          Gupta, S. K., et al. (1999). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characterization of OROS and immediate-release amitriptyline. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

                          Elsevier Mental and Behavioral Health. (2012). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

                          Moore, R. A., et al. (2015). Amitriptyline for neuropathic pain in adults . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

                          Moret, C., et al. (2011). The importance of norepinephrine in depression. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

                          Pop-Busui, R., et al. (2016). Diabetic neuropathy: A position statement by the American diabetes association. Diabetes Care.

                          Reeves, R. R., et al. (2010). Antidepressant‐Induced Suicidality: An Update. CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics.

                          Silberstein, S.D., et al. (2012). Evidence-based guideline update: Pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults. Neurology.

                          Schutte-Rodin, S., et al. (2017). Clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic insomnia in adults. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

                          Thour, A., et al. (2023). Amitriptyline. StatPearls.

                          Wharton, S., et al. (2018). Medications that cause weight gain and alternatives in Canada: A narrative review. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

                          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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