Amitriptyline Actavis Special Precautions

Talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking Amitriptyline tablets if the patient or the patient's child (if they are the patient): has any blood disorders (the patient may bruise easily, frequently suffer from infections or be anaemic); has any psychiatric disorder (eg schizophrenia or manic depression); has liver or cardiovascular disease; is not able to pass water or have an enlarged prostate gland; has an overactive thyroid gland and is taking medicines to treat a thyroid disorder; has a history of epilepsy; is being given electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); has increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma); is due to have any surgery, including dental, that involves an anaesthetic; is an elderly.
Thoughts of suicide and worsening of depression or anxiety disorder: If the patient is depressed and/or has anxiety disorders he/she can sometimes have thoughts of harming or killing him/herself. These may be increased when first starting antidepressants, since these medicines all take time to work, usually about two weeks but sometimes longer.
The patient may be more likely to think like this: If the patient has previously had thoughts about killing or harming him/herself.
If the patient is a young adult. Information from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in young adults (less than 25 years old) with psychiatric conditions who were treated with an antidepressant.
If the patient has thoughts of harming or killing him/herself at any time, contact the doctor or go to a hospital straight away. The patient may find it helpful to tell a relative or close friend that he/she is depressed or has an anxiety disorder, and ask them to read this leaflet. The patient might ask them to tell him/her if they think his/her depression or anxiety is getting worse, or if they are worried about changes in the behaviour.
A heart problem called prolonged QT interval (which is shown on the electrocardiogram, ECG) and heart rhythm disorders (rapid or irregular heart beat) have been reported with Amitriptyline. Tell the doctor if the patient: has slow heart rate; has or had a problem where the heart cannot pump the blood round the body as well as it should (a condition called heart failure); is taking any other medication that may cause heart problems; or has a problem that gives him/her a low level of potassium or magnesium, or a high level of potassium in the blood.
Amitriptyline tablets and alcohol: Do not drink alcohol with this medicine.
Amitriptyline tablets contain lactose and sunset yellow: If the patient has intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicine, as it contains a type of sugar called lactose.
The 25mg tablets also contain a colour called 'sunset yellow' which may cause allergic reactions.
Driving and using machines: Amitriptyline may impair alertness. Make sure the patient is not affected before he/she drives or operate machinery.