How Does Amitriptyline Work?

Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil^®) is a medication approved for the treatment of depression. It is available by prescription only and comes in the form of a tablet.

 

So how does amitriptyline work? Amitriptyline is part of a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Although it is not entirely clear how it works, amitriptyline is known to affect several chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. It is thought that the medication might allow these chemicals to stay in the brain longer, which can help with depression symptoms.