taking 10mg amitriptyline as and when needed.

Treatment and medication
1

hi. i have been taking 10mg amitriptyline for a year, prescribed as a pain relief and to help sleep. I am weaning myself off-thus far one every other day this past 7 days. I think my dr once said I can use them intermittently when in need as dose not very high. I would like to do this if i felt the need to. what does others on here think? 10mg has done the trip this past year, but i would like to live without it and perhaps use intermittenly like i said, as and when needed.

thanks in advance.

 

2

This is the lowest dose unless you cut these little tablets! Don't think you will have any trouble stopping these at your intermittent low dose. It is not like taking Valium or Temazepam for sleep which can be addictive. Good luck

3

Thanks for your response. I thought as much; just wanted second opinion.

4

This is not the way the drug works! - Amytripiline is used mostly for long term chronic pain or depression. A daily dose of 10mg is is far too low. For long term pain/depression it would normally be 50 or 100 mg daily. It should be stopped only on a doctor's advice.

5

Hi

thanks for taking time to return. my gp prescribed 10mg for pain relief which has worked a godsend for me. and my gp has said previously that I can use as and when. and in the past I have weaned myself on and off medication knowing myself at a slow and steady place. gp's have their place and sometimes their suggestions are ill advised.

 

6

In the UK Amitrip is no longer used for depression. In the old days (25-30years ago) it was one of the few antidepressants available but now there are drugs with less side effects. Some people can only tolerate a small dose for pain or sleep and the doctor will help the patient titrate the dose and the response.