Amitriptyline Uses

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder. Amitriptyline is also used off-label for treating pain related to fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and other chronic pain states. Other indications amitriptyline is used for include insomnia, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), involuntary emotional expression disorder, postherpetic neuralgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and prophylactic treatment of migraines.

There may be other uses of amitriptyline—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Amitriptyline Mechanism of Action

Amitriptyline inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are natural substances in the brain that help to maintain mental balance. Amitriptyline works by making more of these natural substances available to human brain receptors. 

Amitriptyline Doses

Amitriptyline hydrochloride tablet is available in 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg doses. The usual dose of amitriptyline in adults (ages 18-64 years) is an initial dose of 50-100 mg taken either as a single bedtime dose or split into smaller doses throughout the day. The maximum dose is 150-300 mg per day.

The dose of amitriptyline in children 12-17 years of age and older adults 65 years of age and above is 10 mg three times a day and 20 mg at bedtime for a total daily dose of 50 mg.