Amitriptyline for insomnia

Amitriptyline for insomnia is an effective drug for treating depression. Specialists prescribe this drug for insomnia. If the dosage is chosen correctly, chronic insomnia can be cured.

Treatment of insomnia

Insomnia is a syndrome of disturbed sleep. This pathology can be a consequence of various diseases. Before choosing a way to cure the ailment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the sleep disorder.

This pathology very often begins to develop against a background of neurosis and stress. If a patient is diagnosed with major depression, he is always examined for insomnia.

There are many reasons for such an ailment. They can include:

• Severe emotional distress
• Heart failure
• Overwork
• Alcohol abuse

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant drug. It has analgesic and antiserotonin effects. After its use the appetite is significantly reduced. The main indications for use are:

• depression
• headaches
• bulimia nervosa
• insomnia

Against the background of depression and neurosis, insomnia may occur.
The drug is available in the form of tablets for oral use and in the form of a solution for injection. The dosage of this medication is selected exclusively by the attending physician. The drug is available only with a prescription.

The drug is in tablet form

Children 6 to 12 years old take 1 tablet once a day. If necessary, the frequency can be increased to 2 times a day. It all depends on the condition of the child and the symptomatology that appears. The maximum daily dose of this medicine is 75 mg.

Adults and children over 12 years old use 2 tablets three times a day. A specialist may increase the number of times up to 4 times. The maximum daily dose for this age category is 350 mg.

Both children and adults should take the remedy only in time or after a meal. Drink the remedy with a small amount of water. It is recommended to start insomnia treatment with the minimum dose. Gradually the dosage may be increased.

Important: Take the medication on a regular basis, otherwise there will be no effect.

The drug in the form of a solution

Children over 12 years of age and adults are prescribed 10-30 mg of Amitriptyline 2-4 times a day. The drug is used only intramuscularly. The maximum dosage of the drug in this form is 150 mg per day.

The drug is administered intramuscularly at a leisurely pace. The injection site should be changed regularly. A few weeks after the treatment the use of the drug in this form should be changed to its intravenous administration.

Side effects of taking the drug

Despite its effectiveness, the drug has some side effects. The most common include:

• constipation
• dry mouth
• weakness
• burning
• urinary retention
• impaired taste
• lack of appetite
• fainting
• diarrhea
• anxiety

Abrupt withdrawal of the drug may lead to nausea, vomiting, and increased excitability.

Contraindications

This effective medication is not recommended for:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system
• bronchial asthma
• epilepsy
• glaucoma

It is strictly prohibited to use the drug in children under 6 years of age and under 12 years for intramuscular injection. In the case of hypersensitivity to the individual components in the composition, you should also refuse to take the medicine.

Use the drug with caution during pregnancy and lactation. The drug penetrates into the breast milk.

Special Directions

Insomnia should be treated with this remedy in a smaller dosage than depression. Specialists start the treatment with very small dosages and increase them weekly.

Some doctors are hesitant to prescribe this drug for such an ailment. This is due to the presence of side reactions. The medication affects each person differently. In order to understand whether the product is suitable or not you need to try it.

Before using it, you need to get a doctor’s recommendation. If the drug is not suitable, it is necessary to consult again about how to stop taking it correctly.

The medication is very dangerous for those patients who are exposed to sunlight or daytime artificial light for long periods of time. Everyone taking the medication should not be exposed to the sun.

Patients with affective disorders may begin to develop manic states during the depressive phase. In this case it is necessary to reduce the dosage.

Interaction with other drugs

Amitriptyline affects the activity of so many medications. It can strengthen the effect of those drugs that depress the human nervous system. These include sedative medications and sleeping pills.

Concomitant use of the drug with anticoagulants leads to an increased risk of bleeding. Some drugs inhibit the activity of Amitriptyline for insomnia. They include carbamazepine and barbiturates.

If such drugs are taken together, it is necessary to increase the dosage of Amitriptyline. When such drugs are taken, it is necessary to be under the supervision of the attending physician.

Interaction of this drug with alcoholic beverages only increases their effect on the body. Because of the joint use, the figures of blood pressure decrease. The patient has a retarded reaction, since the CNS is depressed. All side effects are intensified.

Analogues

The drug Amitriptyline has analogues, which have an identical composition. These include:

• Amirol
• Amisol
• Damylene maleate
• Sarotene
• Triptizol
• Elivel

Only the doctor treating you should choose an analogue.