DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Amitriptyline; Chlordiazepoxide tablets

July 17, 2018

Amitriptyline; Chlordiazepoxide tablets

What is this medicine?

AMITRIPTYLINE; CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE (a mee TRIP ti leen; klor dye az e POX ide) is an anti-depressant and a benzodiazepine. It is used to treat depression with anxiety.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • breathing problems

  • changes in vision

  • confusion

  • elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior

  • eye pain

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • feeling agitated, angry, or irritable

  • fever with increased sweating

  • hallucination, loss of contact with reality

  • seizures

  • stiff muscles

  • suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

  • tingling, pain, or numbness in the feet or hands

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • trouble sleeping

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

  • yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • change in sex drive or performance

  • change in appetite or weight

  • constipation

  • dizziness

  • dry mouth

  • nausea

  • tired

  • tremors

  • upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • amoxapine

  • cisapride

  • dofetilide

  • dronedarone

  • linezolid

  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

  • maprotiline

  • methylene blue

  • narcotic medicines for cough

  • phenothiazines like mesoridazine and thioridazine

  • pimozide

  • quinidine

  • sodium oxybate

  • ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

  • antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

  • atropine

  • certain medicines for anxiety or sleep

  • certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine

  • certain medicines for depression, like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline

  • certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl

  • certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone

  • certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

  • certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine

  • cimetidine

  • disulfiram

  • general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol

  • ipratropium

  • local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine

  • medicines that relax muscles for surgery

  • narcotic medicines for pain

  • other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

  • other phenothiazines like chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine

  • thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees C). Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • bipolar disorder or schizophrenia

  • difficulty passing urine, prostate trouble

  • glaucoma

  • heart disease or previous heart attack

  • kidney or liver disease

  • over active thyroid

  • seizures

  • thoughts or plans of suicide, a previous suicide attempt, or family history of suicide attempt

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to amitriptyline; chlordiazepoxide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine can cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Updated:  

July 17, 2018