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How Long Does Amitriptyline Drug Stay In Your System?
Posted on
Sun, 24 Jun 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 24 Jun 2018
Answered on
Thu, 13 Jan 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : I have taken Amitriptyline (Elavil) for many years. First 50 mg, then 25 mg and for the last 7 years 10 mg. In April 2018 I gradually stopped taking it. How long does this drug stay in your system?
Brief Answer:
2 to 17 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Amitriptyline breaks down to form a product called nortriptyline. This break down product or metabolite also has an effect in the body.
The half life of a medication is the time it takes for the amount of medication in the body to decrease by half. It takes 3 to 5 half lives for most of a medication to be eliminated from the body.
The half life of amitriptyline is approximately 10 to 28 hours but half life of its metabolite , nortriptyline (which also has an effect), is 16 to 80 hours.
This means it would take approximately 48 to 400 hours for amitriptyline and its metabolite to be mostly eliminated
This is 2 to 17 days.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
2 to 17 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Amitriptyline breaks down to form a product called nortriptyline. This break down product or metabolite also has an effect in the body.
The half life of a medication is the time it takes for the amount of medication in the body to decrease by half. It takes 3 to 5 half lives for most of a medication to be eliminated from the body.
The half life of amitriptyline is approximately 10 to 28 hours but half life of its metabolite , nortriptyline (which also has an effect), is 16 to 80 hours.
This means it would take approximately 48 to 400 hours for amitriptyline and its metabolite to be mostly eliminated
This is 2 to 17 days.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. What are the after effects of getting off this drug? I am having a lot of joint and muscle pain now (mostly lower back).
Brief Answer:
not typical but persons react differently to medication
Detailed Answer:
HI
There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur particularly if it is used for a long period of time. Your careful decrease in dose would have decreased the withdrawal symptoms.
Some persons experience dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting. Joint and muscle pain are not common withdrawal symptoms but persons react differently to medication so it may be your individual reaction.
Because however, it is not typical, you may want to consider visiting your doctor to rule out other possible causes
not typical but persons react differently to medication
Detailed Answer:
HI
There are withdrawal symptoms that can occur particularly if it is used for a long period of time. Your careful decrease in dose would have decreased the withdrawal symptoms.
Some persons experience dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting. Joint and muscle pain are not common withdrawal symptoms but persons react differently to medication so it may be your individual reaction.
Because however, it is not typical, you may want to consider visiting your doctor to rule out other possible causes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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