AMITRIPTYLINE
Drug Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

Formal information

Known trade names include Elavil, Amitril, Emitrip, Endep, Etrafon, Levate, Limbitrol, Novotriptyn, Triavil, (US), Triptyl (some areas of Europe).

A tricyclic antidepressant.

The most commonly used antidepressant in the treatment of TN and other pain conditions, it is most helpful in neuropathic disorders such as atypical facial neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy.  Side effects may include drowsiness and weight gain.

Although this medication is used successfully to treat depression, it is also used to treat neuropathic pain and oftentimes, the dosage for this medication is much lower than that used for depression.

Dosage
Dosage can start as low as 10 mg/day and is increased gradually until there is no decrease in pain levels.  The minimal dosage that has the best effect on  on the pain level is  then continued.  In many cases, if amitriptyline has an effect on   pain, it does not lose its affectivity over time.

Side-effects

Tell your doctor if you notice any of these possible side-effects:

Less common
Blurred vision; confusion or delirium' constipation ( especially in the elderly); decreased sexual ability; eye pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling nervous or restless; hallucinations; loss of balance control; mask-like face; problems in urinating; shakiness or trembling; shuffling walk; slowed movements; stiff arms and legs; trouble in swallowing or talking.

Rare
anxiety; breast enlargement (in males and females); hair loss; inappropriate secretion of milk (in females); increased sensitivity to sunlight; irritability; muscle twitching; red or brown spots on skin; ringing, bussing or other unexplained noised in the ears; seizures; skin rash and itching; sore throat and fever; swelling of face and tongue; swelling of testicles; trouble with teethe or gums weakness; yellow eyes or skin

Some of the following side-effects are not serious. However, tell your doctor if these bother you or do not go away:

More Common
Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased appetite; nausea; tiredness or weakness (mild); unpleasant taste; weight gain.

Also tell your doctor if you have any other side-effects or if your have side effect after you stop taking this medicine.

For a more official medical description see

  IMH Monograph: Amitriptyline.