Amitriptyline drugs (sold under the popular brand names Elavil, Tryptanol, Endep, Elatrol, Tryptizol, Trepiline, Laroxyl, Saroten, Triptyl, and Redomex) are categorized as tricyclic anti-depressants, which work by producing both serotonin and noradrenaline (nearly) equally.
Used most commonly for the short-term (three months or less) treatment of depression, insomnia, various sleep disorders, and for migraine prevention, Amitriptyline drugs have also been approved for treating major depressive disorders. Off-label uses include post traumatic stress disorder, rebound headache, chronic pain, chronic cough, chronic carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neurological pain, pain related to multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Potent tricyclic anti-depressants such as Amitriptyline drugs offer a wide variety of frightening side effects, including: anxiety, blackening of tongue, development of excessive breast fat in men, confusion, constipation, delusions, diarrhea, difficult urination, frequent urination, slurred speech, extreme dilation of pupils, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of well-being, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headache, heart palpitations, increase in blood pressure, heavy sweating, fever, impotence in men, inability to achieve orgasm, lip and mouth ulcers, loss of sexual drive, eye pressure and pain, loss of coordination, loss of appetite, increase in appetite, nausea, vivid nightmares, numbness, tingling sensations, rapid heart beat, rash, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizure, sensitivity to light, swelling of testicles, swollen glands, tremors, vomiting, weakness, headache, and extreme feelings of bodily discomfort.
Many consumers are unaware of the strong possibilities of developing physical and psychological addiction to Amitriptyline drugs. Physicians estimate that both the physical and psychological addiction can begin to develop after as little as three weeks of use of Amitriptyline drugs. Even patients following their prescriber’s specific dosing instructions are at serious risk.
Symptoms of Amitriptyline withdrawal include: aggression, extreme anxiety, loss of coordination, issues with balance, “zapping” sensations throughout the brain and body, inability to concentrate, emotional instability, diarrhea, depersonalization, increased depression, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, hallucinations, hostility, indigestion, impaired speech, insomnia, nervousness, paranoia, lethargy, nausea, “creepy crawly” sensations in extremities, stomach cramps, tingling sensations, vivid nightmares, and even suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
Individuals wishing to discontinue the use of Amitriptyline drugs should not attempt to do so on their own. Changes in daily dosing habits can cause the onset of acute withdrawal, which can be both dangerous and life threatening. The recommended method of discontinuation is a medically supervised taper (a taper plan is the commitment to a gradual reduction in daily intake over the course of several weeks or even months, depending upon history of use).
Now that you know the many possible side effects and dangers of Amitriptyline drugs, do you feel that the benefits outweigh the risks?
Sources:
http://www.rxlist.com/elavil-drug.htm
http://www.labelmesane.com/amitriptyline_withdrawal.html
