Amitriptyline

The label describes amitriptyline for relief of symptoms of depression. It says endogenous depression is more likely to be relieved than other depressive states.

• Symptoms of depression

The label we reviewed does not describe how amitriptyline works.

This page covers the US label for amitriptyline tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

The label says dosing should start low and be increased gradually. For adult outpatients, it describes 75 mg a day in divided doses, which may be increased to 150 mg a day. Another approach is 50 to 100 mg at bedtime, raised by 25 or 50 mg to a total of 150 mg.

A sedative effect may come first, and a full antidepressant effect may take up to 30 days. Hospitalized patients may need more. The usual maintenance dose is 50 to 100 mg a day, and may be given once at bedtime.

For adolescents and elderly patients, lower doses are generally recommended: 10 mg three times a day with 20 mg at bedtime may be enough.

• Start low and increase gradually
• Adult outpatients: 75 to 150 mg a day in divided doses
• Maintenance: 50 to 100 mg a day
• Lower doses for adolescents and elderly

The label warns of clinical worsening and suicide risk. Patients of any age may worsen or develop suicidal thoughts. Studies showed antidepressants increase this risk in children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 24, mainly in early treatment.

It is contraindicated in people who have had a hypersensitivity reaction to it, and must not be given with MAO inhibitors. At least 14 days must pass after stopping an MAO inhibitor before starting it.

The label also describes heart effects and says lower doses are recommended in elderly patients.

• Suicidality risk, especially under age 25
• Not with MAO inhibitors; wait 14 days after stopping one
• Do not use if allergic to it
• Heart rhythm and blood pressure effects
• Lower doses in elderly patients

• MAO inhibitors (not to be combined)
• Topiramate
• Drugs affecting the CYP 2D6 enzyme
• The label says MAO inhibitors must not be given together with amitriptyline, since severe reactions and deaths have occurred.
• Topiramate may greatly increase amitriptyline levels.
• Drugs that block or are processed by the CYP 2D6 enzyme may also raise levels of tricyclic antidepressants.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

The label also says to protect it from light, keep the container tightly closed.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, amitriptyline is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 25 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

Amitriptyline is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Tablet 10 mg (page 67); Tablet 25 mg (page 67); Tablet 75 mg (page 67); Tablet 10 mg (page 84); Tablet 25 mg (page 84).

NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled amitriptyline formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 6 product rows that mention amitriptyline. We did not capture prices for them.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.

Jan Aushadhi lists amitriptyline products including Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Tablets IP 25mg 25mg; Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Tablets IP 10mg 10mg; Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Tablets IP 75 mg 75 mg; Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Tablets IP 50 mg 50 mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.