There's a wide variety of medications used for Migraine, most of which are prescribed off-label. If amitriptyline has been prescribed for you, or if you and your doctor have been considering it, here's some information that should be helpful.

Type of medication:

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that has also been prescribed off-label as a Migraine and headache preventive for many years. It was, in fact, among the first medications recognized as a potential preventive.
 

Precautions:

• It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow dosage adjustments and to help reduce side effects.
• This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants.
• This medicine may cause drowsiness. If this occurs, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

• Tricyclic antidepressants may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally.
• For diabetic patients: This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood sugar tests, check with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor
• The effects of this medicine may last for 3 to 7 days after you have stopped taking it.
   

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

• FDA Pregnancy Category D. May harm an unborn baby. Do not take without talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take without talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
   

Other medical conditions:

Be sure to let your doctor know of other medical problems you may have, especially:

• alcohol abuse (or history of)
• asthma, bipolar disorder
• blood disorders
• convulsions (seizures)
• difficult urination
• enlarged prostate
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• schizophrenia
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• overactive thyroid
• stomach or intestinal problems
   

Other medications:

Be sure to let your doctor know of ALL medications you are taking, especially

• amphetamines
• appetite suppressants
• ephedrine
• epinephrine
• isoproterenol
• medications for asthma or other breathing problems
• phenylephrine
• antipsychotic medications
• Clonidine
• thyroid medications
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• pomethazine (Phenergan)
• monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
   

Potential side effects:

• Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
  • allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; difficulty breathing)
  • seizures
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • symptoms of high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache)
  • difficulty urinating
  • fever with increased sweating, muscle stiffness, or severe muscle weakness
• Continue medication and talk to your doctor if you experience:
  • drowsiness or dizziness
  • dry mouth and eyes
  • constipation
  • mild tremor
  • sweating
  • mild agitation, weakness, or headache
  • ringing in the ears
  • nausea
  • loss of weight or appetite

Brand Names:

• U.S.: Elavil (discontinued), Endep
• Canada: Apo-Amitriptyline, Elavil (discontinued), Levate, Novotriptyn
• U.K.: Levate, Novotriptyn
• Australia: Tryptanol, Elavil, Endep, Amitrol

Related Information:

• Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up!
• Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference?
• The Evolving Role of Migraine Prevention - Video