Always take amitriptyline exactly as you have been told. Follow the instructions on the packet leaflet carefully or ask a GP, pharmacist or nurse if you're unsure.
Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Do not chew them.
Amitriptyline does not usually upset your stomach so you can take it with or without food.
When to take amitriptyline
Take amitriptyline once a day in the evening or before you go to bed because it can make you feel sleepy.
If you feel drowsy in the morning, try taking it earlier in the evening.
If amitriptyline makes you sleepy or dizzy, do not drive or use tools or machinery.
It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking amitriptyline. Drinking alcohol with amitriptyline can make you sleepy and more unsteady on your feet.
How long to take it for
You might start to feel better within a few weeks. But it can take 6 weeks for amitriptyline to reduce the amount of pain you feel.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP if:
- you want to stop taking amitriptyline
If you stop taking it suddenly, it can cause extra side effects.
Once you're feeling better, you may continue to take amitriptyline for as long as it's working for you as a painkiller or to help prevent migraines.
Some people take it for many months and years. But this should be reviewed regularly with your GP.
If you forget to take a dose
If you forget a dose, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Use an alarm to help remind you to take your doses. Ask your pharmacist for advice if you forget doses often.
If you take too much
Emergency action required: Contact a GP straight away or go to your nearest emergency department (ED) if:
- you take too much amitriptyline
Do this even if you feel well. Do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call 112 or 999 for an ambulance.
Take the amitriptyline packet or the leaflet inside it and any remaining medicine with you.
If you take too much amitriptyline you may also:
- be sick (vomit)
- feel very drowsy
- have a change in your heartbeat
- have fits (seizures)
These are only some of the possible symptoms of an overdose. Read the patient information leaflet for a full list of symptoms.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.