Amitriptyline
What it's for
Amitriptyline treats nerve pain, prevents migraines, and can help with sleep problems. In higher doses, it treats depression. At low doses, it is often used for chronic pain conditions.
Comes as: Tablets
How to take it
- For nerve pain or migraine prevention: Usually start with 10mg at night.
- Your doctor may gradually increase the dose.
- Take 1 to 2 hours before bedtime as it causes drowsiness.
- It can take several weeks to feel the full benefit for pain.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Feeling drowsy or sleepy
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Blurred vision
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Do not stop taking it suddenly after long-term use
- Avoid alcohol - it increases drowsiness
- Take care when driving, especially when you first start
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or glaucoma
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have a fast or irregular heartbeat
- You have thoughts of harming yourself
- You have difficulty passing urine
- You have a seizure
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.