What Is Amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is a prescription antidepressant that belongs to a category known as tricyclic antidepressants. First developed in the 1960s, this medicine is used to treat major depression, and it is also prescribed in low doses to manage conditions that cause chronic pain. Amitriptyline can be taken as a tablet or liquid. It is normally taken daily, and doctors often recommend patients take it in the early evening hours or one to two hours before bedtime to reduce the potential side effect of morning sleepiness. When used for pain control, doctors typically start with a dose of ten milligrams, and this can be increased to seventy-five milligrams or higher for patients who continue to experience persistent pain. Pediatric doses are calculated based on the child's weight and symptoms. It often takes at least six weeks of treatment with amitriptyline for patients to experience a noticeable improvement in their symptoms, and patients may continue taking this medication for months or years to effectively manage their condition.