What is amitriptyline?

Amitriptyline hydrochloride, USP, a dibenzocycloheptadiene derivative, is a white, or practically white, odorless, crystalline compound which is freely soluble in water and alcohol. It is designated chemically as 10,11-Dihydro-N,N-dimethyl-5 H -dibenzo[a,d] cycloheptene-Δ 5 , γ-propylamine hydrochloride. It has the following structural formula: Each tablet for oral administration contains 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 mg amitriptyline hydrochloride, USP. Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn) and titanium dioxide. The 10 mg also includes D&C Red #27 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake; 25 mg – D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake; 50 mg – FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake; 75 mg – D&C Red #7 Calcium Lake and FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake; 100 mg – D&C Red #30 Aluminum Lake and D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake; 150 mg – D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. amitriptyline HCl chemical structure

What kind of drug is amitriptyline?

The FDA classifies amitriptyline as a tricyclic antidepressant. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take amitriptyline with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run amitriptyline against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is amitriptyline sold under?

We track 2 amitriptyline-containing products in the U.S.: Amitriptyline Hydrochloride and Elavil. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does amitriptyline come in?

Across the brands we track, amitriptyline is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic amitriptyline?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic amitriptyline product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Amitriptyline: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for depressive disorder and pain. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Tricyclic Antidepressant
Treats: Depressive Disorder and Pain
Available as: Tablet
Sold as: 2 products — Amitriptyline Hydrochloride and Elavil
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $3 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How amitriptyline is dosed

From the FDA label for Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (application ANDA085968). Other amitriptyline products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Oral Dosage Dosage should be initiated at a low level and increased gradually, noting carefully the clinical response and any evidence of intolerance. Initial Dosage for Adults For outpatients, 75 mg of amitriptyline hydrochloride a day in divided doses is usually satisfactory. If necessary, this may be increased to a total of 150 mg per day. Increases are made preferably in the late afternoon and/or bedtime doses. A sedative effect may be apparent before the antidepressant effect is noted, but an adequate therapeutic effect may take as long as 30 days to develop. An alternate method of initiating therapy in outpatients is to begin with 50 to 100 mg amitriptyline hydrochloride at bedtime. This may be increased by 25 or 50 mg as necessary in the bedtime dose to a total of 150 mg per day. Hospitalized patients may require 100 mg a day initially. This can be increased gradually to 200 mg a day if necessary. A small number of hospitalized patients may need as much as 300 mg a day. Adolescent and Elderly Patients In general, lower dosages are recommended for these patients. Ten mg 3 times a day with 20 mg at bedtime may be satisfactory in adolescent and elderly patients who do not tolerate higher dosages. Maintenance The usual maintenance dosage of amitriptyline hydrochloride is 50 to 100 mg per day. In some patients, 40 mg per day is sufficient. For maintenance therapy, the total…

Amitriptyline side effects

Within each category the following adverse reactions are listed in order of decreasing severity. Included in the listing are a few adverse reactions which have not been reported with this specific drug. However, pharmacological similarities among the tricyclic antidepressant drugs require that each of the reactions be considered when amitriptyline is administered. Cardiovascular Myocardial infarction; stroke; nonspecific ECG changes and changes in AV conduction; heart block; arrhythmias; hypotension, particularly orthostatic hypotension; syncope; hypertension; tachycardia; palpitation. CNS and Neuromuscular Coma; seizures; hallucinations; delusions; confusional states; disorientation; incoordination; ataxia; tremors; peripheral neuropathy; numbness, tingling and paresthesias of the extremities; extrapyramidal symptoms including abnormal involuntary movements and tardive dyskinesia; dysarthria; disturbed concentration; excitement; anxiety; insomnia; restlessness; nightmares; drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; fatigue; headache; syndrome of inappropriate ADH (antidiuretic hormone) secretion; tinnitus; alteration in EEG patterns. Anticholinergic Paralytic ileus, hyperpyrexia; urinary retention, dilatation of the urinary tract; constipation; blurred vision, disturbance of accommodation, increased ocular pressure, mydriasis; dry mouth. Allergic Skin rash; urticaria;…

Every amitriptyline product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Amitriptyline products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Boxed warning	58/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$3	View →
2

What amitriptyline pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Amitriptyline pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
MYLAN;330	2 mg / 10 mg	white	round	—
MYLAN;442	2 mg / 25 mg	purple	round	—
MYLAN;727	4 mg / 10 mg	blue	round	—
MYLAN;574	4 mg / 25 mg	orange	round	—
MYLAN;73	4 mg / 50 mg	purple	round	—
MYLAN;277	10 mg / 27.98 mg

Combination products containing amitriptyline

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Frequently asked questions

What is amitriptyline?: Amitriptyline hydrochloride, USP, a dibenzocycloheptadiene derivative, is a white, or practically white, odorless, crystalline compound which is freely soluble in water and alcohol. It is designated chemically as 10,11-Dihydro-N,N-dimethyl-5 H -dibenzo[a,d] cycloheptene-Δ 5 , γ-propylamine hydrochloride. It has the following structural formula: Each tablet for oral administration contains 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 mg amitriptyline hydrochloride, USP. Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch (corn) and titanium dioxide. The 10 mg also includes D&C Red #27 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake; 25 mg – D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake; 50 mg – FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake; 75 mg – D&C Red #7 Calcium Lake and FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake; 100 mg – D&C Red #30 Aluminum Lake and D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake; 150 mg – D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red #40 Aluminum Lake. amitriptyline HCl chemical structure
What kind of drug is amitriptyline?: The FDA classifies amitriptyline as a tricyclic antidepressant. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take amitriptyline with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run amitriptyline against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is amitriptyline sold under?: We track 2 amitriptyline-containing products in the U.S.: Amitriptyline Hydrochloride and Elavil. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.