Product Name: Amitrip
Active Ingredient: Amitriptyline
Packaging and contents form: 25mg, 50 mg/ 100 Tablets
Manufacturer: Pacific Pharmaceuticals
Country of Origin: New Zealand

Amitrip (Amitriptyline) is a type of medicine also known under the term tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain. Usually it is prescribed as an antidepressant. Other uses of amitrip include the treatment of enuresis and chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and insomnia.


Dosage & Administration Information:

The standard dose for adults treated with amitriptyline for depression is between 40-150mg daily, taken in partitioned doses. Adult patients usually start on a low dose of 5-10mg daily and then gradually increase the dosage to a maximum of 50- 150 mg. This depends usually on the tolerability of adverse reactions of the patient. The typical average dosage generally is 75mg. In case a Teenager is diagnosed with depression, the dosage would be around 10 mg and it should be administered three times a day.

Commonly the effects of the medication are only felt after two weeks of continuous treatment. The Amitrip-therapy should proceed for a minimum of six months (preferably without break) after the depression is soothed, so that the cure will be permanent.


How does Amitrip works:

Amitriptyline works by preventing serotonin and noradrenaline from being reabsorbed into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. In this way, amitriptyline helps relieve depression.


Side Effects:

As it is with any other medications, amitrip may cause certain side effects. In case you should experience the following adverse reaction, please contact you physician or doctor for medical assistance:

• Blurred vision
• Dry Mouth
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Difficultly urinating
• Heart rhythm disturbances
• Can make skin sensitive to sunlight

Precautions:

Amitriptyline has to be used with caution and should be administered only under exact instruction of a physician, in case a physician had a heart attack in the past or had heart blockages, or a severe liver disease. Furthermore the drug is contraindicated in cases of manic depressive disorder.

More over it may be dangerous to take this medication with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant medication or within 14 days of discontinuing a MAOI. This may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have had any of the following health problems in the past:

• Heart disease
• Urinary retention
• Seizures/epilepsy
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Glaucoma
• Drug-related hyperpyrexia

Further this medication should be used very cautious when:

• Decreased liver function
• History of difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)
• Enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy)
• Heart disease
• History of epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• People taking thyroid medication for an underactive thyroid gland
(hypothyroidism)
• Tumour of the adrenal gland
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Schizophrenia
• Manic Depression
• People with a history of suicidal behaviour or thoughts
• People receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Further Information:

The medication should be used carefully and cautious in children, young adults, elderly and people with decreased liver. It is strongly recommended not to consume alcohol while taking this medication.