One of the most common disorders diagnosed by psychiatrists is depression. This pathological condition can develop after the loss of a loved one, against the background of a stressful situation at work, as a result of other mental and physical trauma (for example, a serious illness). Typical symptoms of depression are:
- depression;
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- disturbance of thinking;
- loss of interest in everything that is happening and in life as a whole;
- motor retardation, etc.
Treatment of depression is complex, including, first of all, psychosocial therapy and taking medications.
Drug therapy involves taking antidepressants - psychotropic drugs, which are classified according to the mechanism of action into several classes. One of the main representatives of the class of tricyclic antidepressants is the drug Amitriptyline. However, this medicine, like other antidepressants, is recommended also for other disorders. Consider who is shown the use of Amitriptyline tablets, how it works, and also what are the features of taking this drug.
Indications for the use of amitriptyline tablets
Amitriptyline is prescribed for the following diagnoses:
- depression of various etiology (endogenous, presenilic, drug, reactive, depressive neurosis associated with organic brain damage or alcoholism), especially accompanied by anxiety, sleep disorders, speech or motor anxiety;
- schizophrenic psychoses;
- emotional disorders of a mixed type;
- violation of attention and activity;
- bedwetting (except for patients with bladder hypotension);
- bulimia nervosa ;
- anorexia nervosa;
- phobic disorders;
- chronic pain syndrome (persistent intense pain sensations in patients with cancer, migraine, rheumatic diseases, peripheral neuropathy - postherpetic, diabetic, etc.);
- Stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer (as part of complex therapy);
- migraine (as a preventive agent).
Composition and pharmacological action of Amitriptyline
The active substance of the drug is amitriptyline hydrochloride. Auxiliary components:
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- lactose monohydrate;
- pregelatinized starch;
- silicon dioxide;
- magnesium stearate;
- talc.
In addition to the antidepressant effect achieved by blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters (noradrenaline, serotonin, etc.), the medicine produces the following effect:
- marked sedation;
- hypnotic;
- anti-anxiety;
- antihistamine;
- anesthetic;
- easy stimulating;
- light psychoenergetic;
- antiulcer.
As a result of the use of Amitriptyline tablets in patients:
- the mood improves;
- reduced or removed lethargy;
- decreased anxiety, emotional tension;
- sleep and appetite normalize.
How to use Amitriptyline tablets
This drug is used immediately after a meal without chewing. Dosage and frequency of reception is selected individually, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the condition, as well as the patient's age. As a rule, treatment starts with small doses, gradually increasing them. In severe cases, amitriptyline is given in the form of intramuscular or intravenous injections with a further transition to the tablet form.
The duration of the treatment course depends on the patient's condition, the effectiveness of the therapy and the tolerability of the drug. Often, the therapeutic course lasts from a month to a year.