amitriptyline hydrochloride

(a mee trip' ti leen)

Endep (CAN), Tryptanol (CAN)

Pregnancy Category C

Drug class
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA; tertiary amine)

Therapeutic actions
Mechanism of action unknown; TCAs inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitters
norepinephrine and serotonin, leading to an increase in their effects; anticholinergic at
CNS and peripheral receptors; sedative.

Indications
• Relief of symptoms of depression (endogenous most responsive); sedative effects
may help when depression is associated with anxiety and sleep disturbance.
• Unlabeled uses: Control of chronic pain (eg, intractable pain of cancer, central
pain syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, postherpetic neuralgia, tic douloureux);
prevention of onset of cluster and migraine headaches; treatment of pathologic
weeping and laughing secondary to forebrain disease (due to multiple sclerosis)

Contraindications and cautions

• Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to any tricyclic drug; concomitant therapy
with an MAO inhibitor; recent MI; myelography within previous 24 hr or
scheduled within 48 hr; lactation.
• Use cautiously with electroshock therapy; preexisting CV disorders (severe
coronary heart disease, progressive heart failure, angina pectoris, paroxysmal
tachycardia); angle-closure glaucoma, increased IOP, urinary retention, ureteral or
urethral spasm; seizure disorders; hyperthyroidism; impaired hepatic, renal
function; psychiatric patients (schizophrenic or paranoid patients may exhibit a
worsening of psychosis with TCA therapy); manic-depressive patients; elective
surgery (discontinue as long as possible before surgery).

Available forms
Injection—10 mg/mL; tablets—10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mg

Dosages
May be given IM if patients are unable or unwilling to take oral drug. Switch to oral drug
as soon as possible.
ADULTS
• Depression, hospitalized patients: Initially, 100 mg/day PO in divided doses:
gradually increase to 200–300 mg/day as required. May be given IM 20–30 mg
qid, initially only in patients unable or unwilling to take drug PO. Replace with
oral medication as soon as possible.
 • Depression, outpatients: Initially, 75 mg/day PO, in divided doses; may increase
to 150 mg/day. Increases should be made in late afternoon or hs. Total daily
dosage may be administered hs. Initiate single daily dose therapy with 50–100 mg
hs; increase by 25–50 mg as necessary to a total of 150 mg/day. Maintenance dose
is 40–100 mg/day, which may be given as a single bedtime dose. After
satisfactory response, reduce to lowest effective dosage. Continue therapy for 3
mo or longer to lessen possibility of relapse.
• Chronic pain: 75–150 mg/day PO.
• Prevention of cluster or migraine headaches: 50–150 mg/day PO.
• Prevention of weeping in MS patients with forebrain disease: 25–75 mg PO.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
> 12 yr: 10 mg tid PO and then 20 mg hs.
< 12 yr: Not recommended.
GERIATRIC PATIENTS
10 mg tid PO with 20 mg hs

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak Duration
Oral Varies 2–4 hr 2–4 wk

Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 10–50 hr

Distribution: Crosses placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine

Adverse effects
• CNS: Disturbed concentration, sedation and anticholinergic (atropine-like)
effects, confusion (especially in elderly), hallucinations, disorientation, decreased
memory, feelings of unreality, delusions, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness,
agitation, panic, insomnia, nightmares, hypomania, mania, exacerbation of
psychosis, drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, headache, numbness, tingling,
paresthesias of extremities, incoordination, motor hyperactivity, akathisia, ataxia,
tremors, peripheral neuropathy, extrapyramidal symptoms, seizures, speech
blockage, dysarthria, tinnitus, altered EEG
• CV: Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope, tachycardia, palpitations,
MI, arrhythmias, heart block, precipitation of CHF, CVA
• Endocrine: Elevated or depressed blood sugar, elevated prolactin levels,
inappropriate ADH secretion
• GI: Dry mouth, constipation, paralytic ileus, nausea, vomiting, anorexia,
epigastric distress, diarrhea, flatulence, dysphagia, peculiar taste, increased
salivation, stomatitis, glossitis, parotid swelling, abdominal cramps, black tongue,
hepatitis, jaundice (rare), elevated transaminase, altered alkaline phosphatase
• GU: Urinary retention, delayed micturition, dilation of the urinary tract,
gynecomastia, testicular swelling; breast enlargement, menstrual irregularity and
galactorrhea; increased or decreased libido; impotence
• Hematologic: Bone marrow depression, including agranulocytosis; eosinophilia,
purpura, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
 • Hypersensitivity: Rash, pruritus, vasculitis, petechiae, photosensitization, edema
(generalized, face, tongue), drug fever
• Withdrawal: Symptoms on abrupt discontinuation of prolonged therapy: nausea,
headache, vertigo, nightmares, malaise
• Other: Nasal congestion, excessive appetite, weight change; sweating, alopecia,
lacrimation, hyperthermia, flushing, chills

Interactions
Drug-drug
• Increased TCA levels and pharmacologic (especially anticholinergic) effects with
cimetidine, fluoxetine
• Increased TCA levels with methylphenidate, phenothiazines, hormonal
contraceptives, disulfiram
• Hyperpyretic crises, severe convulsions, hypertensive episodes and deaths with
MAOIs, furazolidone
• Increased antidepressant response and cardiac arrhythmias with thyroid
medication
• Increased or decreased effects with estrogens
• Delirium with disulfiram
• Sympathetic hyperactivity, sinus tachycardia, hypertension, agitation with
levodopa
• Increased biotransformation of TCAs in patients who smoke cigarettes
• Increased sympathomimetic (especially beta-adrenergic) effects of direct-acting
sympathomimetic drugs (norepinephrine, epinephrine)
• Increased anticholinergic effects of anticholinergic drugs (including
anticholinergic antiparkisonian drugs)
• Increased response (especially CNS depression) to barbiturates
• Decreased antihypertensive effect of guanethidine, clonidine, other
antihypertensives
• Decreased effects of indirect-acting sympathomimetic drugs (ephedrine)

Nursing considerations
Assessment
• History: Hypersensitivity to any tricyclic drug; concomitant therapy with an
MAOI; recent MI; myelography within previous 24 hr or scheduled within 48 hr;
lactation; EST; preexisting CV disorders; angle-closure glaucoma, increased IOP,
urinary retention, ureteral or urethral spasm; seizure disorders; hyperthyroidism;
impaired hepatic, renal function; psychiatric patients; manic-depressive patients;
elective surgery
• Physical: Weight; T; skin color, lesions; orientation, affect, reflexes, vision and
hearing; P, BP, orthostatic BP, perfusion; bowel sounds, normal output, liver
evaluation; urine flow, normal output; usual sexual function, frequency of menses,
breast and scrotal exam; liver function tests, urinalysis, CBC, ECG

Interventions
 • Restrict drug access for depressed and potentially suicidal patients.
• Give IM only when oral therapy is impossible.
• Do not administer IV.
• Administer major portion of dose at bedtime if drowsiness, severe anticholinergic
effects occur (note that the elderly may not tolerate single daily dose therapy).
• Reduce dosage if minor side effects develop; discontinue if serious side effects
occur.
• Arrange for CBC if patient develops fever, sore throat, or other sign of infection.

Teaching points
• Take drug exactly as prescribed; do not stop abruptly or without consulting health
care provider.
• Avoid using alcohol, other sleep-inducing drugs, over-the-counter drugs.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps; use a sunscreen or protective
garments.
• These side effects may occur: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, blurred
vision (reversible; if severe, avoid driving and tasks requiring alertness while
these persist); nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dry mouth (eat small, frequent
meals; perform frequent mouth care and suck sugarless candies); nightmares,
inability to concentrate, confusion; changes in sexual function.
• Report dry mouth, difficulty in urination, excessive sedation.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.