✅ Prescription / Indication:
Amitriptyline 25 mg is a prescription tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) primarily indicated for:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Neuropathic pain (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia)
- Migraine prophylaxis
- Tension headaches
- Chronic pain syndromes (e.g., fibromyalgia)
- Insomnia (off-label)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or interstitial cystitis (off-label)
📄 Description:
- Generic Name: Amitriptyline hydrochloride
- Strength: 25 mg
- Form: Oral tablet (film-coated or uncoated)
- Drug Class: Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
- Common Brands: Elavil®, Tryptomer®, Amitone®, Sarotena®
Mechanism of Action:
- Inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system
- Also blocks histamine, muscarinic, and alpha-adrenergic receptors → causes sedative and anticholinergic effects
🌟 Advantages / Benefits:
- Effective for both mood and pain disorders
- 25 mg dose is a common therapeutic dose, often titrated up from 10 mg
- Used off-label for:
- Migraine prevention
- Sleep disturbance
- IBS-related pain
- Low cost and widely available
🔬 Nature / Pharmacology:
- Onset of Action (depression): 2–4 weeks
- Onset (pain/sleep): 1–2 weeks
- Half-life: ~10–28 hours
- Metabolism: Liver (CYP2D6)
- Excretion: Urine
📦 Common Packaging:
- Usually available in blister packs of 10, 15, or 30 tablets
- Tablets may be blue, green, or yellow, depending on the manufacturer
- Marked with dosage and manufacturer code
🧊 Storage Conditions:
- Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F)
- Protect from light and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
👨⚕️ Patient Advice / Precautions:
✅ Dosage Instructions:
- Take once daily at bedtime (due to sedative effect)
- May be taken with or without food
- Swallow whole with water
- Dosage may be adjusted by the doctor gradually
❌ Avoid:
- Alcohol and other sedatives (increases drowsiness)
- Driving or heavy machinery until you know how it affects you
- Abrupt discontinuation → withdrawal symptoms (e.g., irritability, nausea, sleep issues)
- Taking with MAO inhibitors (serious drug interaction)