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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Withdrawal Procedure For Amitriptyline?

I have been taking amitriptyline for headaches for years. Recently I have received information from the pharmacist that amitriptyline could case depression and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide. I also have been told that you couldn't just quit taking it, that you had to quit taking it over a period of time.
what is the routine for quitting taking it altogether? I have times when depression washes over me and I cry for hours. There was one instance when I thought about suicide.
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Amitriptyline belongs to tricyclic group of drugs. I beg to differ but your pharmacist is wrong in providing the information about amitriptyline. Amitriptyline doesn't cause depression or suicidal thoughts instead the drug is one of commonly used antidepressant drugs. The drug helps to reduce the symptoms of depression and thus also reduce the ideas of suicide.

Still if you want to reduce the doses of the drug then best thing that can be done is to reduce the doses of the drug gradually. Doses should be reduced by about 20-25% every two weeks and then can be stopped completely at about 6-10 weeks. Dose reduction in this manner will not cause any serious withdrawal symptoms. Please consult your doctor before making any change in prescription.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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What Is The Withdrawal Procedure For Amitriptyline?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Amitriptyline belongs to tricyclic group of drugs. I beg to differ but your pharmacist is wrong in providing the information about amitriptyline. Amitriptyline doesn t cause depression or suicidal thoughts instead the drug is one of commonly used antidepressant drugs. The drug helps to reduce the symptoms of depression and thus also reduce the ideas of suicide. Still if you want to reduce the doses of the drug then best thing that can be done is to reduce the doses of the drug gradually. Doses should be reduced by about 20-25% every two weeks and then can be stopped completely at about 6-10 weeks. Dose reduction in this manner will not cause any serious withdrawal symptoms. Please consult your doctor before making any change in prescription. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.