What helps Amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant from a group of nonselective inhibitors of neuromediator capture. By chemical structure refers to tricyclic compounds. It is used in the treatment of many types of depressions and their somatic manifestations. What is Amitriptyline for? The drug has antihistamine and holinoliticheskim action, which allows it to be used in spastic states of smooth muscles.

Action and indications

The effect of the antidepressant Amitriptyline is that the drug prevents the reverse capture of synaptic clefts of such neurotransmitters as serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline. This tricyclic compound promotes the accumulation of neurotransmitter mediators, prolonging and enhancing their action, which removes the symptoms of depression. The appointment of Amitriptyline after stroke compensates for the lack of dopamine due to the death of nerve cells that produce it.

Amitriptyline also shows an adrenoblocking effect, has an analgesic effect. The suppression of receptors for acetylcholine allows the use of the drug for abdominal pain, bedwetting and a hyperactive urinary bladder. An antidepressant is also used in ulcer therapy due to suppression of the formation of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The suppression of acid formation by the lining cells of the stomach leads to a decrease in appetite, which is used in the treatment of bulimia.

List of pathologies from which Amitriptyline helps:

1. Depressions of various origins, including those with an anxious and apathetic component, as well as physical manifestations of mental disorders.
2. Food disorders, as a manifestation of depression: bulimia( wolfish famine), anorexia.
3. Prevention of migraine attacks.
4. Bedwetting in children and a hyperactive bladder in adults.
5. Neuralgia and chronic pain syndrome in fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, oncological diseases, etc.
6. Various phobias.
7. Post-stroke state, especially in the elderly.
8. Abstinence syndrome, i.e. Abstention from alcohol and drugs.
9. Psychoses in schizophrenia.

Side effects of Amitriptyline:

1. Increased photosensitivity due to accommodation paralysis( dilated pupil).
2. Tachycardia( heart palpitations).
3. Atony of the intestine, manifested in constipation, sometimes dinamic obstruction. Atony of the stomach, heartburn, belching, nausea.
4. Decreased bladder tone and urinary retention.
5. Hypertension.
6. Dry mouth and unpleasant odor from the mouth.
7. Irritability.
8. Drowsiness.
9. Disturbances in the hormonal system: increase in the hormone prolactin and swelling of the mammary glands, sometimes the allocation of milk from them, violation of the menstrual cycle.
10. Changes in the biochemistry of blood from the liver: increased aminotransferases, direct bilirubin( cholestasis syndrome - congestion of bile).
11. Hyperglycemia.

Important! The withdrawal syndrome of Amitriptyline can be accompanied by cholinergic effects - salivation, gastrointestinal spasms and diarrhea.

When is amitriptyline contraindicated?

This is a drug with a powerful effect that extends to the cardiovascular and nervous system. Contraindications to the use of Amitriptyline:

1. Exacerbation of ulcerative processes in the stomach and duodenum.
2. Tachycardia( heart palpitations).
3. Hypertensive disease.
4. Atony of the stomach and intestines, stenosis of the pyloric part of the stomach.
5. Decreased tone of the bladder.
6. Prostatic hyperplasia.
7. Decompensated heart failure.
8. Closed-angle glaucoma.
9. The use of other drugs from the group of antidepressants - a serotonin syndrome is possible.
10. Chronic convulsive states - an antidepressant may involve seizures of epilepsy and other motor disorders.
11. Drinking alcohol. Amitriptyline may increase the inhibition of the nervous system with ethyl alcohol.
12. Thyrotoxicosis.

How to use

How to take Amitriptyline with depression? Take the drug for the first time at night after eating in a dosage of 25-50 mg. The next 5 days are taken from 50 mg three times a day.

Therapeutic effect in the treatment of depressive conditions occurs after 2-4 weeks of admission. If the symptoms of depression disappear, then the dose is reduced to 50 mg per day. This maintenance dose is taken within three months to prevent relapse.

To prevent migraine pain apply 25mg-100mg daily.

Before completely canceling Amitriptyline, doctors gradually reduce the dosage of the drug. Perhaps the appointment of adaptogens( rhodiola, ginseng) for the prevention of withdrawal syndrome Amitriptyline, the addiction to it is stopped by the correct tactics of treatment.