An Overview of Amitriptyline Sexual Side Effects
Amitriptyline hydrochloride (
Elavil®) is a prescription medication that is used for the treatment of
depression. It is part of a group of medications called
tricyclic antidepressants. As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with amitriptyline. Some of these side effects can affect a person's sexual well-being. In the case of amitriptyline, there have been a few sexual side effects reported. How commonly they occurred, however, was not reported.
Sexual Side Effects With Amitriptyline
In clinical studies using amitriptyline to treat depression, the following sexual side effects were reported:
- A decreased sex drive (libido).
- Impotence. Impotence is usually defined as a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Ultimately, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Impotence is also known as erectile dysfunction (or ED for short).
Amitriptyline, Sexual Side Effects, and Suggestions
It is impossible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will develop any sexual side effects while taking amitriptyline.
Also, if a person does develop sexual side effects, it is difficult to know whether these problems are caused by another condition or amitriptyline itself.
However, if during treatment with amitriptyline, sexual side effects become a problem, you should be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. There are treatments that he or she may be able to recommend, such as an
erectile dysfunction medication. Depending on the severity of your sexual side effects, he or she may also recommend that you adjust your
amitriptyline dosage or try another medication for depression.
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