Amitriptyline tablets are used to treat depression and come in different strengths. The medication is not under patent, so many pharmaceutical companies use it in their own particular brands of tablets, some of which contain other drugs along with amitriptyline. Apart from treating depression in humans, the tablets also can be used to treat migraine and eating disorders, and vets sometimes prescribe it for behavioral problems in animals.
These amitriptyline tablets are part of the tricyclic anti-depressant group. The drug increases levels of brain chemicals to improve a patient's mental state. The medication does have some side effects, such as an increased risk of suicide in people younger than 24 years old, gastrointestinal symptoms or hallucination. For these reasons, a doctor usually will prescribe the lowest possible dose for patients at first and will increase the dose if necessary.
Amitriptyline tablets come in different strengths. Each tablet contains a certain number of milligrams of the active ingredient. The usual initial dose of amitriptyline for an adult is 75 milligrams a day, taken in several smaller doses to make up the entire dose. Children older than 12 are usually prescribed three 10-milligram tablets a day and a 20-milligram tablet at bedtime. Sometimes a medication contains a dose of amitriptyline along with another drug, such as perphenazine or chlordiazepoxide.
Amitriptyline tablets are taken either once a day or up to four times throughout the day. Tablets typically come in strengths of 10, 25, 50, 75 or 100 milligrams. The tablets should be taken at the same time each day.
Although this drug has anti-depressant effects, it also can be used to treat other conditions. The medication can prevent migraines and can control eating disorders. People who suffer from aches and pains from a previous shingles infection might also find relief by taking amitriptyline.
Veterinaries also prescribe the drug for treating behavioral problems in animals. Dogs and cats that spray urine or suffer from separation anxiety, excessive grooming or general anxiety might be treated with the tablets. It might also alleviate pain resulting from previous nerve injury or might reduce chronic itching. Even birds that pluck out their own feathers can benefit from amitriptyline treatment.
