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Is Left Bundle Branch Block A Side Effect Of Taking Amitriptyline?
I was diagnosed with inguinal neuralgia back in December 2016. The drugs Norco, Meloxicam, and Amitriptyline were prescribed. On January 22 this year, while hiking, I experienced severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Trip to cardiac ER and cardio tests (catheter, angiogram) indicated problem was left bundle branch block . My own doctors did not say anything at the time about possible cardio effects of the Amitriptyline and did not tell me to stop taking it. But my online searches have turned up several published articles on similar negative cardiac effects. Do you think my experience could have been a side effect of the Amitriptyline???
posted on
Sun, 29 Jan 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 12 May 2017
Answered on
Mon, 15 May 2017
Last reviewed on
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your concern and would like to explain that left bundle branch block is an already known adverse effect of Amitriptyline, especially when intoxication for this drug (or from any other tricyclic antidepressants) occurs.
In such case, I would recommend performing some lab tests (plasma concentration of the drug and its metabolite: nortriptyline), liver and renal function tests, blood electrolytes level, complete blood count.
In addition, I would suggest discussing with your prescribing doctor on he possibility of switching to a safer psychotropic drug with less adverse effects.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your concern and would like to explain that left bundle branch block is an already known adverse effect of Amitriptyline, especially when intoxication for this drug (or from any other tricyclic antidepressants) occurs.
In such case, I would recommend performing some lab tests (plasma concentration of the drug and its metabolite: nortriptyline), liver and renal function tests, blood electrolytes level, complete blood count.
In addition, I would suggest discussing with your prescribing doctor on he possibility of switching to a safer psychotropic drug with less adverse effects.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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