Can you become addicted to amitriptyline?

Can you become addicted to amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline is not addictive but you can get extra side effects if you stop taking it suddenly. You may have flu-like symptoms like feeling sick, muscle pain and feeling tired or restless.

What is the best way to come off amitriptyline?

If you want to stop taking amitriptyline, go to the doctor and they will help you to bring the dose down gradually. This will take a few weeks. You may still get some withdrawal effects, especially during the first two weeks as you reduce the dose. These effects will go away as you carry on reducing the dose.

How long does withdrawal from amitriptyline last?

Usually, amitriptyline withdrawal symptoms last one to three weeks. They tend to peak within three days to one week after the last dose and gradually decline in intensity. Most often, amitriptyline withdrawal is mild and resolves quickly, but it varies depending on the person.

Can I take amitriptyline every other day?

Amitriptyline can be prescribed as a tablet or liquid. You’ll need to take it every day an hour or two before your usual bedtime, as it can make you sleepy. If you find you’re still feeling sleepy when you wake in the morning, try taking it earlier in the evening.

Does amitriptyline cause memory loss?

Amitriptyline, a frequently prescribed tricyclic antidepressant, is reported to produce an age-related impairment in anterograde memory. However, the locus of this adverse effect has never been described within the context of contemporary learning and memory theory.

What happens to your body when you stop taking amitriptyline?

Symptoms that have been reported in individuals who are believed to be undergoing withdrawal associated with discontinuing amitriptyline include: Dizziness and headaches. Other physical symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, muscle aches, aching joints, fever, chills, and sweating.

Is amitriptyline bad for your heart?

Amitriptyline may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

Can I cut amitriptyline in half?

Each blue tablet contains 10mg amitriptyline. It can be broken in half by placing it on a bench and pushing down on both sides with two fingers, or by using a pill-cutter. You should start with a dose of 5mg taken early in the evening, preferably 3 hours before bed.

Is amitriptyline linked to dementia?

Anticholinergics for depression, such as amitriptyline, dosulepin, and paroxetine, have previously been linked to higher risk of dementia, even when they were used up to 20 years beforehand. Some studies have also suggested that use of any anticholinergic is linked to raised risk of dementia.