Requires Prescription (YES/NO)
Yes
Generics
Amitriptyline HCl
Used For
Depression
How it works
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and an analgesic. It has marked anticholinergic and sedative properties. It prevents the re-uptake, and hence the inactivation of noradrenaline and serotonin at nerve terminals. Reuptake prevention of these monoamine neurotransmitters potentiate their action in the brain. This appears to be associated with the antidepressant activity. The mechanism of action also includes ion-channel blocking effects on sodium, potassium and NMDA channel at both central and spinal cord level. The noradrenaline, sodium and the NMDA effects are mechanisms known to be involved in the maintenance of neuropathic pain, chronic tension type headache prophylaxis and migraine prophylaxis. The pain-reducing effect of amitriptyline is not linked to its anti-depressive properties.