Dealing With Headaches

Well, I couldn’t help but notice that the previous bloggers set up a category titled “Amitriptyline” and only put in one post which vaugely mentions it. So, now, I thought “Ahh — there’s a topic I should write about for a Friday.” I’m sure you’re dying to know all the gory details about amitriptyline, so let’s get right to it. As you’re reading this, let’s see if I can remember how to spell “amytriplyline” throughout this post.

What Is It?

From Wikipedia:

Amitriptyline (or Amitryptyline) hydrochloride (sold as Elavil, Tryptanol, Endep, Elatrol, Tryptizol, Trepiline, Laroxyl) is a tricyclic antidepressant drug. It is a white, odorless (but tastes like licorice), crystalline compound which is freely soluble in water; it is usually dispensed in tablet form. In terms of its mechanism of action, amitriptyline inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake almost equally.

Uh…What Is It?

Amitriptaline is the active ingredient in the tricyclic family of antidepressants with the brand names of Elavil, Elatrol, Tryptanol, Endep, Trepiline and Laroxyl. Yes — an anti-depressant. Why is an anti-depressant perscribed for migraines? For some people, they get an unexpected side benefit — the prevention of migraines.

Amitriptaline is a heavy-duty anti-depressant usually perscribed for suicidal or delusional depressives OR for depressives who can’t physically tolerate the Prozac family. But you don’t have to be diagnosed with major depression in order to be perscribed amitriptaline. The theory is that both major depression AND migraines have to do with the ammount of serotnin in your brain. (See this discussion thread, which explains better than the official medical web sites).

Scary Stuff

It is a strong drug and needs to be handled with care. In fact, it’s one of those drugs that pharmacies get robbed of. There are many side effects, but these are rare. You need to follow the directions so you will not overdose. Most likely, your doctor may reduce your dose over time, but that’s up to your body and your doctor.

People who shouldn’t touch amitriptaline with a ten foot pole are pregnant women (well, I guess pregnant men, too), those with liver problems, those with a history of seizures for whatever reason, those with narrow-angle glaucoma, people with a history of urinary retention, and something called blood dyscrasias. If you have heart problems, you will have to be monitored closely.

Now that that’s as clear as mud, have a great weekend.