Like all medicines, amitriptyline can cause side effects. But many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Some of the side effects of amitriptyline will gradually improve as your body gets used to it.
Keep taking the medicine but talk to your GP, a pharmacist or nurse if side effects bother you or do not go away.
Common side effects
Things you can do to help with common side effects of amitriptyline include:
Constipation
Try to get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, for example by going for a daily walk or run.
If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or GP.
Feeling dizzy
This is probably due to low blood pressure. Amitriptyline can reduce your blood pressure when you stand up.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Do not stand up too quickly after you've been sitting or lying down. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy.
Dry mouth
Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
Feeling sleepy
Take amitriptyline in the evening. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you feel sleepy.
If this does not help, talk to your GP.
Difficulty peeing
Relax when you try to pee. Do not try to force it. If you cannot pee, try again a short time later.
Contact your GP urgently if you cannot pee at all.
Headache
Make sure you rest and drink fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.
Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your GP if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to an emergency department (ED) if:
- you’ve had a seizure or fit
Urgent advice: Contact your GP immediately if you have:
- a fast or irregular heartbeat
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) - this can be signs of a liver problem
- bruising, bleeding or a sore throat and fever - these can be signs of a problem with your blood cells
- constant headaches, long-lasting confusion or weakness, frequent muscle cramps - these can be signs of low sodium levels in your blood
- thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life
- eye pain, a change in your eyesight, swelling or redness in or around the eye
- blurred vision
- constipation, a swollen stomach, fever and vomiting
Serious allergic reaction
You might need to go to hospital if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to your nearest ED if:
- you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- you're wheezing
- you get tightness in your chest or throat
- you have trouble breathing or talking
- your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling
See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.
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.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie