Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Related to Amitriptyline
Q. I have been prescribed Amitriptyline for pain. When will I start feeling better?
You may start feeling better after 2 weeks of starting Amitriptyline. However, it may take 4-6 weeks to see full benefits.
Q. Can I take Amitriptyline off and on?
No, Amitriptyline should only be taken as directed by the doctor. Suddenly stopping the medicine may cause unpleasant symptoms e.g. headache, feeling unwell, sleeplessness and irritability. Talk to your doctor about the duration of your treatment and continue to take this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends.
Q. Can I stop taking Amitriptyline when my pain is relieved?
No, even if the pain is relieved, Amitriptyline should be continued as advised by the doctor. Consult your doctor for duration of the treatment since Amitriptyline needs to be gradually tapered (dose is reduced gradually).
Q. Can use of Amitriptyline lead to weight gain? If yes, how can it be managed?
You may gain weight after starting treatment with Amitriptyline. Consider managing your weight by eating healthy diet, consuming low calorie food and including more vegetables and fruits in our diet. Regular physical exercise will be very helpful.
Q. Is there anything I need to be careful about while on therapy with Amitriptyline?
Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness and dizziness, especially in the beginning of the treatment. Do not drive or work with tools or machinery if your alertness is affected. It is not advisable to drink alcohol during treatment with this medicine as it might increase sleepiness.
Q. Can the use of Amitriptyline affect my sex life?
Yes, Amitriptyline can affect sex life in both men and women. It may cause decrease sexual desire or there may be discomfort during intercourse. Men may experience inability to develop or maintain erection during sexual activity and may be unable to have orgasm. Do not stop taking the medicine but consult your doctor.
Q. I have been taking Amitriptyline for depression since a week and now I feel that my life has come to end and sometimes I want to harm myself. Is it because of the medicine? What should I do?
Yes, Amitriptyline can affect sex life in both men and women. It may cause decrease sexual desire or there may be discomfort during intercourse. Men may experience inability to develop or maintain erection during sexual activity and may be unable to have orgasm. Do not stop taking the medicine but consult your doctor.
Q. Can Amitriptyline cause urinary problems?
Yes, Amitriptyline can cause urinary problems, which is more commonly seen in elderly patients (more than 65 years old). The patient may complain of weak, intermittent steam or may also develop urinary tract infection. You should consult your doctor if you develop these symptoms.
Q. If my pain is not relieved, can I take more than the dose which is recommended?
No, Amitriptyline should be strictly used only as prescribed by the doctor. If the dose exceeds, you may develop drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in speech, dry mouth, tired, difficulty in walking, fever, difficulty in breathing, blue discolouration of the skin and decreased heart beat. In such a situation, contact your doctor immediately or seek help of a family member or friend and go to the nearest hospital.
Q. Does Amitriptyline cause any effect on pregnancy or the new born?
Amitriptyline is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it clearly necessary and only after careful consideration of the benefit and risk. If you have taken this medicine during the last part of the pregnancy, the new born may develop symptoms such as irritability, rigidity, irregular body movements, irregular breathing, poor drinking, loud crying, difficulty in urinating, and constipation.
Q. Can I take Amitriptyline if I am breast feeding?
No, Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may harm your baby. Consult your doctor and he will advise you whether to continue or stop breast-feeding, or stop using this medicine taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for your child and the benefit of therapy for you.Show moreShow lessRelated to Propranolol
Q. What is Propranolol used for?
Propranolol is used in the treatment of angina (chest pain), arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat), heart attack, increased blood pressure, anxiety, and migraine.
Q. Is Propranolol over the counter product?
Propranolol is a prescription medicine and should only be taken for the proper indication in the appropriate dose, frequency, and duration as advised by a doctor.
Q. Is Propranolol a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO) inhibitor?
Propranolol is not a MAO inhibitor. It belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers.
Q. Is Propranolol safe to use?
Clinical studies have shown that Propranolol is tolerated well even in long-term use and is safe. However, the drug is not devoid of side effects and should only be taken as per the doctorâÂÂs advice.
Q. Is it safe to take Propranolol with Betahistine?
Propranolol and Betahistine can be taken together. Betahistine is given in patients with a migraine for the relief of vertigo and Propranolol is indicated for preventing the attacks of a migraine. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are used together.
Q. Is Propranolol a blood thinner?
Propranolol is not a blood thinner. It is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker.
Q. Is Propranolol a narcotic substance?
Propranolol is not a narcotic substance. It is a beta-blocker used in the treatment of diseases like hypertension and angina.
Q. Is Propranolol ototoxic?
Propranolol is not associated with ototoxicity (harmful to the ear). However, if you experience any such problem while using the drug, talk to your doctor.
Q. Is Propranolol a statin?
No, Propranolol is not a statin. It is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker.
Q. Is Propranolol used to treat anxiety?
Propranolol is indicated for the treatment of anxiety. However, consult your doctor for the right treatment of anxiety.
Q. Can I take Propranolol for headaches?
Propranolol is not used for the treatment of a headache. It is used to prevent an attack of a migraine headache. However, it is not known to stop the migraine headaches once started. Consult your doctor for the proper treatment of your headache.
Q. Can I take Propranolol for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Propranolol is not indicated in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Consult your doctor for the right treatment IBS.
Q. For how long can I take Propranolol?
Propranolol is a prescription drug and should only be taken in the dose, frequency, and duration as advised by the doctor. However, clinical studies have shown that Propranolol is tolerated well in long-term use and is generally safe.
Q. Can you take Propranolol for depression?
Propranolol is not indicated for the treatment of depression. Please consult your doctor for the right treatment of depression.
Q. Can I take Propranolol for a migraine headache?
Propranolol can be used as a to prevent an attack for migraine headaches. However, it is not known to stop the migraine headaches once started. Consult your doctor for the appropriate the appropriate therapy.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with alprazolam?
Propranolol is not known to have any clinically meaningful interaction with alprazolam. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the drugs together.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with lorazepam?
Propranolol is not known to have any clinically meaningful interaction with lorazepam. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the drugs together.
Q. Can I take Propranolol without food?
Propranolol can be taken without food. However, taking the drug with food, especially high-protein food enhances the bioavailability (amount of drug which reaches the blood) of the drug.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with aspirin?
Aspirin, especially if taken in high doses, may reduce the blood pressure lowering (antihypertensive) effect of Propranolol. Talk to your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with gabapentin?
Propranolol is not known to have any interactions with gabapentin. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with amoxicillin?
Propranolol is not known to have any interaction with amoxicillin. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.
Q. Can I take Propranolol with prednisone?
Anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) effect of Propranolol may decrease if taken with prednisone as prednisone can cause sodium and water retention. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.
Q. Does Propranolol cause diabetes?
Propranolol is not known to cause diabetes. However, it can interfere with insulin secretion and it can also block the sympathetic response (signs and symptoms experienced by the patient) to hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor in case you are prescribed Propranolol and you have diabetes.
Q. Does Propranolol work?
Propranolol is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker which is used in the treatment of a variety of diseases like hypertension, angina, migraine, heart attack, tremors etc. It is a prescription drug which should only be used as per the doctorâÂÂs advice.
Q. Does Propranolol make you sleepy?
Propranolol is not known to make you sleepy. It can, however, cause loss of sleep and dizziness rarely. Consult your doctor if you experience any such symptom.
Q. Does Propranolol expire?
Propranolol. like any other drug, has an expiry date and should not be used beyond that period. The shelf life of Propranolol is three years.
Q. Does Propranolol cause depression?
Depression is a rare side effect of Propranolol. If you experience any form of depression or associated symptoms while using the drug, consult your doctor.
Q. Does Propranolol cause erectile dysfunction?
Propranolol use has been associated with erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence). Consult your doctor if you experience any such problem while using the drug.
Q. Does Propranolol cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a rare side effect of Propranolol. Consult your doctor if you experience such problem while using the drug.
Q. Does Propranolol affect sleep?
Use of Propranolol has been associated with sleep disturbances, especially insomnia (inability to fall asleep). Consult your doctor if you experience any sleep disturbance after taking Propranolol.
Q. Can the use of Propranolol increase the blood sugar levels?
Propranolol can interfere with insulin secretion and can also block the sympathetic response (signs and symptoms experienced by the patient) to hypoglycemia. However, it is not known to significantly affect blood sugar values.Show moreShow less
