What is "amitriptyline"

n. (context pharmacology English) An antidepressant drug sold under the name Elavil; a tablet containing this drug.

n. a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Elavil) with serious side effects; interacts with many other medications [syn: amitriptyline hydrochloride, Elavil]

Amitriptyline, sold under the brand name Elavil among others, is a medicine used to treat a number of mental illnesses. This includes major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, and less commonly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder. Other uses include prevention of migraines, treatment of neuropathic pain such as fibromyalgia and postherpetic neuralgia, and less commonly insomnia. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include a dry mouth, trouble seeing, low blood pressure on standing, sleepiness, and constipation. Serious side effects may include seizures, an increased risk of suicide in those less than 25 years of age, urinary retention, glaucoma, and a number of heart issues. It should not be taken with MAO inhibitors or the medication cisapride. Amitriptyline may cause problems if taken during pregnancy. Use during breastfeeding appears to be relatively safe. Amitriptyline is in the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class of medications. Its exact mechanism of action is unclear.

Amitriptyline was discovered in 1960 and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1961. It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world as of 2014 is between 0.01 and 0.04 USD per dose. In the United States it costs about 0.20 USD per dose.