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Can The Use Of Amitriptyline Cause Manic Episodes In A Bipolar Patient?
Question: My wife is bipolar and is currently having some problems. She is currently taking Lamictal and Depakote. Her nurse practitioner recently prescribed her 15 mg of amitriptyline for sleep. Should I be concerned since it's an antidepressive medication and go cause a manic episode.
YYYY@YYYY
Thanks, XXXX
YYYY@YYYY
Thanks, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes the drug can cause switch to mania.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. She is a patient of Bipolar Disorder and is on mood stabilisers. Amitriptyline in patients of Bipolar Disorders is known to increase the risk of manic with even in low doses. So in my opinion giving her Amitriptyline for sleep is not a good idea.
If she is having sleep issues and have difficulty to sleep then medicines like low dose antipsychotics which also act as mood stabilisers as Olanzapine or Quetiapine can be used. These medicines will help in good sleep and will help in mood stabilisation also. So I'd advise you to call her psychiatrist and discuss about these medicines. In my opinion giving her amitriptyline is not a good idea.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Yes the drug can cause switch to mania.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. She is a patient of Bipolar Disorder and is on mood stabilisers. Amitriptyline in patients of Bipolar Disorders is known to increase the risk of manic with even in low doses. So in my opinion giving her Amitriptyline for sleep is not a good idea.
If she is having sleep issues and have difficulty to sleep then medicines like low dose antipsychotics which also act as mood stabilisers as Olanzapine or Quetiapine can be used. These medicines will help in good sleep and will help in mood stabilisation also. So I'd advise you to call her psychiatrist and discuss about these medicines. In my opinion giving her amitriptyline is not a good idea.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you think trazadone is ok in the short term
Brief Answer:
Trazodone is safer for bipolar patients
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Yes Trazodone is relatively safer drug in terms of manic switch in bipolar disorder. It is safe to use for short term for management of insomnia in bipolar patients.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.
Trazodone is safer for bipolar patients
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Yes Trazodone is relatively safer drug in terms of manic switch in bipolar disorder. It is safe to use for short term for management of insomnia in bipolar patients.
Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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