Key takeaways

  • Common side effects of amitriptyline include headache, weight gain, and sexual side effects. If you experience side effects, talk with your doctor about how to manage them.
  • Serious side effects of amitriptyline, though less common, can include heart-related issues, seizures, and coma. It’s important that you or a caregiver is aware of the symptoms of these side effects as they require immediate medical attention.
  • There may be an increased risk of certain side effects in some groups of people who take amitriptyline. These include females, older adults, children, and young adults.

Amitriptyline is used to treat depression in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects amitriptyline can cause. See this in-depth article for an overview of amitriptyline, including details about its uses.

Amitriptyline has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Amitriptyline’s side effects explained” section.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

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Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their amitriptyline treatment. Examples of amitriptyline’s commonly reported side effects include:

You may experience mild side effects from taking amitriptyline. Examples of mild side effects that people taking amitriptyline have reported include:

  • dizziness
  • numbness or tingling of the arms or legs
  • anxiety
  • nightmares or insomnia
  • dry mouth
  • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • tremor or uncontrolled movements
  • weakness or fatigue (low energy)
  • blurry vision
  • constipation
  • mouth ulcers
  • changes in the way things taste
  • hair loss
  • abdominal pain
  • fever
  • weight gain or weight loss
  • headache
  • sexual side effects

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Amitriptyline’s side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking amitriptyline unless your doctor recommends it.

Amitriptyline may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Although less common, it’s also possible to have serious side effects from amitriptyline. Serious side effects that have been reported with amitriptyline include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Amitriptyline’s side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking amitriptyline, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking amitriptyline and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, amitriptyline can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking amitriptyline.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to amitriptyline, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about amitriptyline’s side effects.

Do the side effects of amitriptyline vary depending on the dose I’m prescribed, such as 10 mg or 25 mg?

Yes, taking a higher dose of amitriptyline could raise your risk of side effects. When you take a higher dose, your body is exposed to more of the drug. This could raise your risk of side effects.

For example, people taking an amitriptyline dose of 25 milligrams (mg) may be more likely to have side effects (or may have worse side effects) than those taking a 10-mg dose.

If you experience bothersome side effects during your treatment, talk with your doctor.

Do older adults have a higher risk of amitriptyline’s side effects than younger people?

Yes, it’s possible that older adults (ages 65 years and older) have a higher risk of side effects from amitriptyline. This is because adults in this age group:

  • may break down amitriptyline more slowly, which could cause the drug to build up in the body
  • are more likely to have other conditions that may affect how amitriptyline works
  • may take other medications that can interact with amitriptyline

Older adults may have an increased risk of experiencing the following side effects during amitriptyline treatment:

Due to these possible risks, if you are 65 years or older and require amitriptyline, your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose of the medication. Your doctor may also want to monitor you more closely for side effects during your treatment.

Can stopping amitriptyline suddenly cause withdrawal symptoms?

Yes, suddenly stopping amitriptyline may cause withdrawal symptoms. (These are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.) Withdrawal symptoms may be more likely if you’ve taken amitriptyline for a long time.

Withdrawal symptoms that can occur if you suddenly stop taking amitriptyline include:

  • nausea
  • headache
  • irritability
  • restlessness
  • sleep problems

Due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms, you should not stop taking amitriptyline without first talking with your doctor. In some cases, if your doctor recommends stopping treatment, they may slowly decrease your dose over time. This can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you have questions about how to end your amitriptyline treatment safely, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does amitriptyline cause long-term side effects?

Yes, amitriptyline can cause long-term side effects in some people. Although long-term side effects aren’t very common, they can occur.

Examples of long-term side effects from amitriptyline may include:

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with amitriptyline, talk with your doctor.

What are some of the overdose symptoms that taking too much amitriptyline can cause?

You should not take more amitriptyline than your doctor recommends. This can increase your risk of an overdose. In some cases, an overdose can be severe or even life threatening.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • very low blood pressure
  • heart rhythm problems
  • seizures
  • slowed brain activity, which may lead to coma
  • confusion
  • agitation
  • vomiting
  • changes in body temperature
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
  • twitching
  • sleepiness
  • problems with eye movement
  • muscle stiffness

If you take too much amitriptyline, go to the hospital right away. Overdose symptoms may occur very quickly and require monitoring in the hospital.

Learn more about some of the side effects amitriptyline may cause.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults

Amitriptyline has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about the risks of taking a medication.

Amitriptyline may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. But this was not a common side effect in studies of amitriptyline. No suicides occurred in children who took the drug in studies.

What might help

If you’ve experienced any mental health conditions or suicidal thoughts or behaviors, talk with your doctor before taking amitriptyline. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for these side effects during your amitriptyline treatment.

In addition, it’s important to tell your doctor about any mood changes that you experience while taking amitriptyline. You should ask a family member or caregiver to watch for changes in mood as well. Examples of these changes may include:

If you do experience mood changes while taking amitriptyline, your doctor may monitor you more closely. In some cases, they may recommend that you stop taking amitriptyline and switch to a different treatment.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Weight gain

It’s possible to gain weight from taking amitriptyline. Weight gain was reported in studies of the drug.

Keep in mind that weight loss may be a symptom of depression, which amitriptyline treats. You may experience weight gain while taking amitriptyline as your depression improves. In this case, the drug may not be causing the weight gain.

What might help

If you notice weight gain while you’re taking amitriptyline, talk with your doctor. They may be able to help determine ways to manage your weight. If the weight gain bothers you, your doctor may be able to recommend a different treatment option.

Headache

It’s possible for amitriptyline to cause headache. This side effect was reported in studies of amitriptyline.

It’s important to note that headache can be a symptom of stroke, which is a serious side effect of amitriptyline. Other symptoms of stroke can include:

  • numbness or weakness on one side of your body, face, leg, or arm
  • slurred speech
  • changes in vision
  • trouble walking

What might help

If you experience headache during your amitriptyline treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend an over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to relieve your headache.

Call 911 or a local emergency number right away if you have a headache along with other symptoms of stroke.

Cardiac (heart-related) side effects

Some people may experience heart-related side effects while taking amitriptyline.

Examples of heart-related side effects that could occur with amitriptyline may include:

What might help

Your doctor may monitor your heart more often while you’re taking amitriptyline. If there are any changes in your heart rate, heart rhythm, or blood pressure, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Sexual side effects

Amitriptyline can cause sexual side effects in some people, such as increased or decreased libido (sex drive) and erectile dysfunction. It’s not known how often these side effects occurred in studies of the drug.

What might help

If you’re concerned about sexual side effects from amitriptyline, talk with your doctor. In some cases, they may be able to adjust your dosage to ease your side effects. Be sure to take amitriptyline exactly as your doctor prescribes it. You should not change your dose unless your doctor recommends it.

Consider the following important information before starting amitriptyline.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Amitriptyline has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other precautions

Before taking amitriptyline, discuss your health history with your doctor. Amitriptyline may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.