Amitriptyline for Migraine Treatment

Amitriptyline (Elavil) is commonly used to treat many different types of conditions in adults, such as migraines and neuralgia. It is also a generic antidepressant medication designed to treat the symptoms of depression.

This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which are thought to prevent migraine headaches by regulating levels of serotonin in your brain that affect mood and pain sensitivity. These increased serotonin levels influence your central nervous system, or CNS, by improving your emotional state, mood, quality of sleep, and the way your body reacts to pain.

Amitriptyline is a pill that's usually taken between one and four times a day. You should take amitriptyline at the same time(s) each day and exactly how it's directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Generally, doctors start patients off on a low dose of amitriptyline and slowly increase the dosage over time. Amitriptyline should be stored at room temperature in a closed container, away from direct light, moisture, and extreme heat or cold. Because of this, it's best not to store this medication in the bathroom.

Amitriptyline is commonly prescribed as an antidepressant and migraine preventive, so it is available at a majority of pharmacies with a prescription from a doctor. At Nurx, we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare to those who need it. If you don't have a regular doctor or don't have insurance, that's no problem. Our expert team of medical professionals and physicians can speak to you about your needs and prescribe amitriptyline if appropriate. You can then have it mailed directly to your home. It all starts with a consultation fee that's only $59, paid upfront.

Before you take Amitriptyline, let your doctor and pharmacist know if you're allergic to amitriptyline, the active ingredient, or any other medications. Additionally, you should tell your doctor about any other prescription and nonprescription medications, herbal products, supplements, and vitamins you are currently taking or have taken in the past two months as they could negatively interact with amitriptyline.

Amitriptyline could make you drowsy, so you should avoid operating machinery or driving a car until you've been taking it for a few days so that you know how this medication impacts you. It's also important to note that alcohol can intensify the drowsiness often experienced with this medication. If you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol, let your doctor know before taking amitriptyline.

Make sure that your doctor or dentist is aware that you are taking amitriptyline before undergoing any kind of surgical procedure, and talk to your doctor if you become or plan to become pregnant before or while taking Amitriptyline. It's important that you refrain from breastfeeding while taking this medication. It's also vital that you let your doctor know if you have or have ever had:

Liver, kidney, or heart disease.

Schizophrenia.

Diabetes.

An overactive thyroid gland.

Seizures.

Trouble urinating.

An enlarged prostate.

Glaucoma.

Though most people take amitriptyline without experiencing any side effects, there are possible side effects associated with it, just like with any medication. Some of the more common side effects include constipation, headache, difficulty urinating, drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. Some of the less common yet more serious side effects include:

Unsteadiness.

Confusion.

Changes in weight or appetite.

Sweating excessively.

Changes in sexual ability or desire.

Tingling, burning, or pain in the hands or feet.

Blurred vision.

Pain, redness, or swelling in and around the eye.

Nightmares.

Fatigue or weakness.

Vomiting.

Nausea.

Thoughts of self-harm.

Low blood pressure.

Seizures.

Muscle cramps.

Yellowing skin and/or eyes.

Fast or irregular heartbeats.

Trouble speaking.

This isn't a comprehensive list of possible side effects, so you may experience a side effect that isn't listed here. If you have a symptom, like the ones listed above, that seems unusual or worrisome while taking this medication, contact your physician or seek medical help right away. A healthcare professional can determine the seriousness of the situation and provide guidance on what you should do.

Amitriptyline works to relieve migraine symptoms quickly, sometimes as soon as a couple of hours after taking your first dose. These headaches often make it difficult to get through your daily activities, but amitriptyline can help improve your quality of life. Talk with your provider about whether you’re a good candidate for using these medications and how long you should use them to maintain relief.

Just like with most medications, amitriptyline can interact with other drugs, which is why it's vital that you tell your doctor about all of the other medications, supplements, and vitamins that you're taking. Namely, taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within two weeks of taking amitriptyline can cause significant symptoms and complications, such as convulsions, high blood pressure, high temperatures, restlessness, and confusion. Additionally, taking this medication along with Cisapride could increase the likelihood of experiencing serious side effects.

When paired with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, amitriptyline could cause extreme drowsiness that lasts for several days. Because of this, it's best to avoid taking multiple CNS depressants at the same time. Some examples of CNS depressants include:

Anesthetics.

Muscle relaxants.

Seizure medication.

Barbiturates.

Narcotics.

Prescription pain medicine.

Sleeping medicine.

Tranquilizers.

Sedatives.

Antihistamines.

We offer free one to three-day priority shipping through USPS, which means that you can expect to have your medication in your hands roughly three to five days after your prescription is filled at our pharmacy.

Amitriptyline is a generic drug manufactured by:

Accord Healthcare, Inc.

Major Pharmaceuticals.

NorthStar Rx, LLC.

Pliva.

Zydus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sandoz, Inc.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Amitriptyline has been known to have an impact on a person's appetite. In some cases, people experience increased hunger, while others experience a loss of appetite.

Amitriptyline has led to weight gain in some patients, which could be attributed to the increased appetite. Other possible causes of weight gain include:

A feeling of drowsiness is common among people taking amitriptyline, and it could lead to a less active lifestyle.

A change in hormone levels that regulate hunger and appetite.

Slowed metabolism due to the changes in hormone levels and the sedative effects of the medication.

Like most tricyclic antidepressants, amitriptyline was developed to treat both depression and anxiety.

Rarely, amitriptyline can cause spikes in blood pressure as well as QT prolongation, a condition that impacts the heart's natural rhythm.

Amitriptyline is often prescribed to treat insomnia. One of the reasons this medication is so helpful for this off-label use is that it blocks histamines, resulting in drowsiness.

Nurx is a telehealth platform offering easy online access to doctors and seamless delivery of medications. No more time-consuming trips to the clinic and no more frantic pharmacy runs. We put you in control of your own health, empowering you to get the care you need, when you need it. From diagnosis to delivery of prescriptions, we make every part of getting healthy and staying healthy, better. For more information and to sign up, visit www.nurx.com and follow us @nurxapp on Twitter and Instagram.