Dosage as instructed by the physician/HCP should be initiated at a low level and increased gradually, noting carefully the clinical response and any evidence of intolerability.

Adults

Dosage as instructed by the physician/HCP initially 25 mg 2 times daily (50 mg daily). If necessary, the dose can be increased by 25 mg every other day up to 150 mg daily divided into two doses.

The maintenance dose is the lowest effective dose.

Amitriptyline may induce side effects similar to other tricyclic antidepressants. Some of the below mentioned side effects e.g. headache, tremor, disturbance in attention, constipation and decreased libido may also be symptoms of depression and usually attenuate when the depressive state improves.

Mechanism of Action

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and an analgesic. It has marked anticholinergic and sedative properties. It prevents the re-uptake, and hence the inactivation of noradrenaline and serotonin at nerve terminals. Reuptake prevention of these monoamine neurotransmitters potentiate their action in the brain. This appears to be associated with the antidepressant activity.