The Side Effects Of Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a prescription medication available as an oral tablet and as an injection. It is indicated for the treatment of depression. According to "2005 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide," the drug is prescribed off-label for insomnia, headache prevention, forebrain disease and chronic pain. Anyone taking amitriptyline or any other antidepressant should be monitored for suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Neurological

Common neurological side effects of amitriptyline include confusion, sedation and difficulty concentrating. Less common side effects include fainting, coma, memory loss, excitability, restlessness, panic, tremors, seizures, rigid muscles, involuntary movements, agitation, difficulty sleeping, flushing, spasms of the jaw, back or neck, nervousness, poor coordination, difficulty speaking, a feeling of unreality, uncontrollable shaking, hallucination, delusions, inability to control muscle movement, anxiety, nightmares, weakness, drowsiness, headache, burning or tingling hands or feet, inability to be still, blurry vision, vision changes, dilated pupils, watery eyes, increased pressure in the eye and ringing in the ear. According to "2005 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide," administration of amitriptyline can produce the side effect of altered EEG waves.

Cardiovascular and Blood-related

A common cardiovascular side effect is lowered blood pressure upon standing. Less common side effects include heart attack, chest pain, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, stroke, fast heart rate, the sensation of the heart pounding in the chest and abnormal heart rhythms, including heart block. Blood-related side effects are uncommon, and include low blood sugar, high blood sugar, abnormalities in hormone levels, abnormalities in liver enzyme levels, low platelet level, low white blood cell level and high eosinophil (a type of white blood cell) level.

Gastrointestinal

Common gastrointestinal side effects include dry mouth, nausea and constipation. Less common side effects include loss of appetite, increased appetite, odd taste in the mouth, increased salivation, inflammation of the salivary gland, intestinal obstruction, difficulty swallowing, inflammation of the mouth, swollen tongue, black tongue, vomiting, stomach distress, stomach or intestinal cramps, gas, diarrhea and inflammation of the liver.

Urinary and Reproductive

Urinary and reproductive side effects are uncommon, and include retaining urine, abnormalities of the urinary tract, impotence, swollen testicles, male and female breast enlargement, milk discharge from the nipples in females, increased sexual interest, decreased sexual interest and changes in the menstrual cycle.

Other Side Effects

Other uncommon side effects of amitriptyline include red or purple areas on the skin, balding, fever, chills, stuffy nose, sweating, yellowed skin, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, weight loss and weight gain. A hypersensitivity or allergic reaction can also occur, manifested by difficulty breathing, itching, rash, tiny red or purple spots on skin, sensitivity to sunlight, and swelling of the face, tongue or other areas of the body.