Amitriptyline for Depression

In clinical studies, amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil^®) was shown to be an effective depression treatment. The medicine comes in the form of a tablet and belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.

Although the drug is only approved to treat depression, amitriptyline is occasionally used "off-label" to help treat:

Chronic pain
Bedwetting
Fibromyalgia
Bulimia
ADHD.

It is also effective at preventing migraine headaches and helping people quit smoking.

Because this medicine may not be the best choice for everyone with depression, discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider prior to taking amitriptyline. For example, let your healthcare provider know if you have severe anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy, or any other medical conditions. Also, be sure to discuss any medications you are taking.

(For more information on using this medication for depression, click Amitriptyline. This article offers a comprehensive overview of how it works, who can take it, safety issues, and more.)