Ive been taking amitriptyline for about a year for chronic tension headaches and i'm convinced they have made me gain weight. I've always kept an eye on my weight and i know how it can vary from day to day, but i always remained 2lb's either side of my ideal weight.
Since taking amitriptyline i've gained over half a stone, I even gained weight while trying to loose it! I've been eating around 1200 calories a day and still nothing!
I have asked several times at the doctors about this, and they all say that amitriptyline is not known for weight gain, but when looking on the internet it says that it is a well known fact, so i am quite confused.
It is a recognised adverse effect but probably not a very common one, compared to effects such as feeling more drowsy, constipated or suffering with dry mouth. I think these tend to be more troublesome when amitriptyline is first taken and hence more patients will complain of these effects early on in treatment. I think any weight gain may be a more subtle or gradual process which might explain why GP's/doctors are less aware of the link.
It may be worth discussing the dose you take with your GP. Do you think there is scope for this to reduce without affecting the control of your headaches ?
Hi Tarun, thanks for your reply. Yes possibly. I started on 10mg, then 25 and then to 50 as i was still getting headaches. I have been on 50mg for a quite while now and it has helped a lot, but when i asked about how long i would be taking them for the doctor said as long as they're needed.
As the headaches have reduced for a while now would it be an option to go to a lower dose? I saw the most dramatic change in weight when I went up to 50mg, so it may be interesting to see if this changes if I go back to 25.
I think you'll need to balance the risk of ongoing weight gain with the risk of worsening your headaches and it may be that smaller decreases initially would be the way to go, e.g reducing in steps of 10mg perhaps. Best thing is to speak with the GP to figure out a way of reducing the dose carefully to reduce the risk of your headaches returning or worsening.
Ok, thank you for your help! You wouldn't happen to know if there would be any alternatives to amitriptyline?
When i have previously asked at the doctors before she basically said i have to weigh up the benefits of gaining weight and not having headaches. She also said i look fine and not over weight, but I made the appointment because i had seen the nurse a few days before and she had commented on my weight.
And although they do help my headaches, i'm just feeling unhappy at the moment. I'm 22 and would rather be feeling confident and going out, rather than always being tired and feeling obese.
There may be other treatments which the GP could try which work differently to amitriptyline. Have you ever seen a neurologist for the chronic headaches ? I wonder whether you've thought about non-drug treatments such as acupuncture ? I may be a pharmacist but medication might not always be the answer !
I havent actually. How does one go about seeing a neurologist? I will look into acupuncture (although i have a thing about needles going through skin- urgh! as long as i don't see it )
I would definitely consider alternative methods as i never bargained for taking tablets forever more when i went to the doctors.
My lifestyle has also changed recently as i have finished university etc. which may make a difference, although i think it is just as stressful being back home and trying to find a job.
Thanks for your reply. I'll definitely check those websites.
I've heard the increased appetite issue before, this is when i made sure i carefully kept track of what i was eating (I usually eat pretty healthily anyway). So what i don't understand is the weight gain or lack of weight loss when i know i have been eating well.
You are probably best asking your doctor about referral to a neurologist if you're running out of options to treat the headaches and likewise about acupuncture.
hi i have only been taking amitriptyline for the last 4 nights but my weight has gone up or ready, i cant understand it , i really struggle with my weight and so this is the last thing i want.
Hi I just google Amitrityline and weight gain and your post came up..... I was wondering if you had managed to reduce your dosage and if you had lost weight???
I too am taking Amitriptyline 20mg (2 x 10mg) and I'm tired all of the time and they completely knock me out at night . I used to get up and run before work at this time of year( light mornings!) and now its a chore getting out of bed let alone running!!! I used to get up in the night to pee roughly 3 times a night! Now i sleep through it ( probably the only plus side)
I am determined to get off these tablets , so last night i took just 1 tablet (10mg) and i pee'd once in the night and woke up before the alarm.....
Hi I put on 36lb over thirteen years on Amitriptyline 75mg I craved sweet things, my Dr said it is a common side effect. I have recently stopped taking this drug, I done this very slowly, the cravings have stopped along with some of the other undesireable side effects, and i am slowly losing the weight. If you can find another drug or something else that works for you i would.
Hi, I have been on amitriptyline for 2 yrs now. Started at 10mg and eventually went up to 70mg at which point I felt like a zombie. I am currently coming off of them and took my last one on Sunday. Today I feel a complete wreck, chronic headaches , spaced out etc but I'm guessing it's all part of the process of getting off of them. Each time I reduce I get a period of a few days of discomfort. I have also put on weight with this although the neurologist told me that wasn't a side effect. The first time I dropped the dosage I lost 3 lbs almost straight awaya. I'm sure they do have an effect on your weight..xx
Hi I came off the Ami very slowly with the help of my GP, I had days when i felt completely drained, and generally unwell, It's probably 6-7 weeks nows since i came off them and i feel better than i've felt in ages. My weight has dropped 7lb. so i would definatly say weight gain is a side effect of this drug, and my GP does agree with me.
I have been takin amitriptyline for nearly a year. I started on 10mg but it has now increased to 50mg. At first I didn't notice the weight gain but. Over the last month I have increased a dress size. I haven't got increased appetite. I always feel tired and sluggish.. I have a fused disc and slight osteoarthritis. I have been advised by my gp and a private consultant that a facet joint injection with pilates and water based exercises would help. I am not 40 yet but I feel so old. The weight gain just adds to by constant frustation. I am so glad I found this forum.
I so know what you're talking about. I have gained 1 1/2stone since being on these tablets. This is now the third time tis has happened. Am speaking to the doctor tomorrow as this can't carry on anymore. Have tried diets, exercise everything, nothing is having any effect.
Hi have been taking this drug for two months now to deal with crippling anxiety and panic attacks which have resulted in my trapezius muscle going into spasm and trapping a nerve which has resulted in limited painful movement in my right arm/shoulder. The drug has helped with the above issues but has also resulted in weight gain of approx 10 pounds which is not helping my arthritic knees and hip as I am not yet 50 this is a bit of a downer for me and would much appreciate any advice on alternatives as I seem to have exhausted all the alternative remedies
Hi all! I have been taking amitriptyline for about 7 weeks have gained 14 lbs. It seems to have helped me with my headaches but on the down side I've gained unnecessary weight. Any suggestions on weaning off? My dose is 30 mg. can I go cold turkey or should I decrease 10mg at a time? My diet is exactly the same as pre-amitriptilyne. I run 2 miles every other day and this week alone I gained 3.8lbs 😔. Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I ONLY take amitriptilyne and no other medications besides my vitamins. Thanks in advance.
I am like you. However, amytriptilline did not lessen headaches. Botox did. Now I need to wean off my 50 mg dose. After 14 yrs of miscellaneous treatments, Botox was the answer.
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