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Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews

Amitriptyline has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 171 reviews for the off-label treatment of Anxiety and Stress. 68% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.

Amitriptyline rating summary

7.4/10 average rating

171 ratings from 182 user reviews.

Compare all 11 medications used in the treatment of Anxiety and Stress.

10
42%
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16%
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10%
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4%
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2%
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3%
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Reviews for Amitriptyline

  • TOFLA
  • December 1, 2019

Elavil (amitriptyline) "This drug has been so helpful. I suffered from panic attacks, social phobia, and anxiety for over 15 years. I started amitriptyline 7 weeks ago, and my life has since changed. I can express myself in public, no more panic attacks or anxiety. I really thank God and I appreciate this platform, which is so encouraging. I should also say that I got inspired by other people who were sharing their experiences on this platform. I'll definitely rate this drug 10/10. No side effects. I am so thankful."

10 / 10
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614 Report
  • Hsgwgus
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 5, 2020

"Amitriptyline changed my life. I've been on many antidepressants. All SSRIs made me feel awful, couldn't think properly, and numb. With amitriptyline, I've had none of that. I can think clearly. SSRIs helped me not have such obsessive thoughts. I haven't found that with amitriptyline, so I have to work in therapy to help my thoughts, but it means my brain isn't mush like on SSRIs. I have issues around attachment, some BPD traits. When starting amitriptyline, I was the worst ever. Every day was consumed with uncontrollable fear of abandonment, I was in a constant state of panic. 4/5 months in, my life is totally different. I rarely feel panic or anxiety, emotions are more regulated, and I'm happy. Amitriptyline wasn't recommended to me, I had to do the research and then ask my doctor. Negative points: heart rate, sometimes weird eye twitch. Hope this helps someone out there, it will get better. It really sucks, but we deserve a fulfilling life, and suffering means we understand and can advocate for others with mental illness."

9 / 10
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381 Report
  • Mgad
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 31, 2021

"I just want to let you know on the beginning of taking Amitriptyline was so hard, I had severe anxiety non stop, after completing 3 weeks all negative symptoms has disappeared. I’m grateful for have this medication, I have tried all other Antidepressants in the market non of them helped. Be patient and all wonders will happen. I wish you all a speed recovery. Love you All"

10 / 10
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316 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • katie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 7, 2019

"So I've struggled with severe anxiety and depression for the majority of my teens/young adult years. During my first year of university however, I experienced severe anxiety to a point where I spent all of my time in my bedroom, even going to the coffee shop next to my house was too hard. I decided to go to my doctor and then she prescribed me fluoxetine (prozac) 20 mg. I experienced minor relief in my anxiety and extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. I was on that medication for 3 months when I finally decided to stop. My doctor switched me to amitriptyline and during the first week or two I felt no benefits and was constantly groggy. Then, during the first week, I started feeling not only huge relief in my anxiety but I no longer felt depressed!! I am able to live my life, go out with friends, spend time with family, do well at work and SO MUCH MORE. Best medication hands down. Give it a couple weeks, you won't regret it."

9 / 10
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324 Report
  • MJ234
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 25, 2021

"I have been on and off amyitriptyline for the past 10 years. I have now resolved to stay on it long term. Quite simply because it works, I take 25mg a day at night before bed and it has very good results for reducing and almost eliminating health anxiety, negative thought patterns and symptoms of depression. Having been off it for a good few years and finding myself coping pretty well, 2020 and the pandemic/lockdown struck hard and I hadn't realised how bad my mood and anxiety had become until last month when I practically broke down with the stress of it all. To anybody else experiencing similar issues, take care and have hope! These drugs work, give them time. For me these took about 3 weeks to make even a slight improvement. Now nearly 6 weeks in I'm pretty much back to my old self!"

10 / 10
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210 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Jimbo
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 13, 2020

"I’ve been on this amitriptyline for about 6 months - @ a dose of 25mg (anxiety and stress). Ever since starting it my heart rate has gone up to tachycardic levels and also my bp is up. So now I’m on bp meds, and may have to take a beta blocker for my heart rate! Has anyone else had these symptoms?"

3 / 10
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248 Report
  • Mel
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 13, 2019

"I don’t recommend this drug to anyone! I’ve been on it for almost 3 weeks now and I feel more anxious and easily irritated/aggressive towards others 24-7! I have had severe heart palpitations and anxiety, hot flashes, chest tightness, dizziness and fatigue. I’m 35 years old and this medication is horrible!"

1 / 10
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245 Report
  • Dawn
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 19, 2017

Elavil (amitriptyline) "It got rid of mine! Tried many meds over the years with various side effects. This is the only one that got rid of my anxiety and depression and gave me no side effects. Not to mention I sleep better on it. I was out of it the first few days until I got used to it and now I can't even tell I am taking something except that I have no anxiety, panic attacks or depression anymore. It was a game changer for me. I feel like a new, normal person again. I highly recommend trying it."

10 / 10
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304 Report
  • Dubbs
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 15, 2020

"I was prescribed 20 mg amitriptyline for sleep stress and anxiety and within two days of taking it I found I sleep deeply wake happy and have not got the anxiety I had before. I still have a few seconds of what if thinking but then it passes. I have ehlers danlos and fibro and M. E and this is the best drug I've tried."

10 / 10
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203 Report
  • Anx...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 24, 2014

"I suffered with anxiety for years and have tried many many SSRIs as well as benzos. Nothing really helped. I was put on this med for migraines and within a couple of weeks my anxiety began to melt away. My friends and family noticed a huge difference. I feel like a different person. Like I am living the life I always wanted to live, I was just always too afraid and anxious to before."

10 / 10
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373 Report
  • Jessi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2018

"I have tried so many “as needed” drugs for anxiety and none of them helped. Benzos made my anxiety even worse. Amitriptyline does wonders for me. I can’t even believe it. I’ve been on it for 3 days and I have virtually NO anxiety. I was at a point where I was ready to end my life due to my crippling anxiety and depression. I never thought I’d ever say this, but I just feel NORMAL now. Only side effects I noticed is a slightly dry mouth and some weird twitching (almost like I’m cold). I’ll take that over anxiety ANY DAY."

10 / 10
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234 Report
  • Kcous...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • January 7, 2020

"I’m on 150mg amitriptyline a night. Never had an issue. Take them at 7pm go to bed 9/10 don’t wake up groggy and still drive to work the next day. Taking them one night and expecting some amazing cure is a complete joke. Every drug takes time to work."

10 / 10
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180 Report
  • JJano
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 26, 2020

Endep (amitriptyline) "My doctor suggested I take Endep 25mg after being diagnosed with Crohn’s. I had been very sick for months and not coping very well. The first week of taking it I was rather spaced out but that was all. My day 7 my nausea was 80% gone, I was sleeping like a baby at night and I was dealing with the stress in my life a lot better. I have been on it for 7 months now and I don’t think I would have gotten through this year without it. The old me would have been having panic attacks and catastrophic thinking over the bush fires and Covid but thanks to Endep I have been able to stay calm and reasonable. I haven’t experienced any negative side effects at all. I guess if anything I can’t get up in the night to my kids bc I’m so deeply asleep but that ok because it just means dad has to get up. Haha"

9 / 10
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157 Report
  • Rolls...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 4, 2019

"Tbh, I always look for reviews but can never be bothered to leave my own but had to make an exception for this drug. If you're like me and get vomiting and tremors from most SSRI/SNRI's you NEED to try this stuff. Anxiety, panic attacks, not to mention IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) this has worked wonders. On 75mg per day, climbed dose very slowly which is good when you need to taper down/if you ever want to. (Come in 10mg, 25mg & 50mg) . The only negative side effect I experienced is my mouth gets VERY dry the higher the dose you go. It also slightly constipates you (actually quite welcoming for IBS-D. ) Being on this also negated the need to take my xanax/valium. I will take the dry mouth in exchange for my life back!!"

10 / 10
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203 Report
  • Lorenzo
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 2, 2019

"I've had horrendous panic attacks, anxiety and depression, this Amitriptyline has stopped the panics within 2 weeks and the anxiety and depression is better. At least I'm functional now. I tried lots of SSRIs and they made me worse and made me gain lots of weight. Amitriptyline is the only antidepressant that ever helped me. I'll swear by it for the rest of my life. I am on a maintenance dose of 25mg per day and the difference is almost miraculous."

10 / 10
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190 Report
  • Figgs
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 20, 2019

"I have been taking low dose (10-20mg) of amitriptyline at night right before bed for the past 8 months & it has worked amazingly well for me and my stress / anxiety. Was originally prescribed this for nerve pain in the throat due to LPR/acid reflux symptoms such as constantly clearing my throat & hoarseness. It has worked great for this as my throat pain is down 90% after only 8 months. These symptoms in turn caused me anxiety & depression and the medicine also helped tremendously with that as well. I get a great sleep every night and the only real side effects worth noting would be dry mouth so make sure you use a good mouthwash such as therabreath drymouth. Tiredness at times and weird dreams sometimes but that just may be me. I highly recommend trying 10mg before bed if you have any of these symptoms and move up to 20mg after a week if you find it really helps you."

10 / 10
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170 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 2, 2009

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I've been on Elavil for three years and it has been a God-send: Ironically, I was seeing a Gastrointestinal doctor until she recommended that I "stop and smell the roses more." Combined with therapy sessions for about a year, I worry less as I see more of what really is worth getting worked up over -- not a whole lot. One can be passionate about certain things such as family and country and life, but other things are less, way-less significant. Elavil has taught me how to best sort out what some things are worth worrying over and not. I take 100mg/day at 8pm normally and I sleep well at night, and feel good generally about how things will be throughout the next day. I love the smell of roses. "

10 / 10
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422 Report
  • M Bear
  • February 24, 2017

Elavil (amitriptyline) "For many years I was very resistant to taking medications for my anxiety because I watched my mother who is bipolar try many types of medications without success. My anxiety was constant: racing thoughts, hypochondria, worry about my kids, etc. The stress was actually causing me physical pain. I was even tense in my sleep and woke up every morning feeling like I had been in a fight. Elavil was life changing. I started out at 10mg and was bumped up to 25mg after a couple of weeks. The only side effects that I experience are drowsiness (you take it at night, so no big deal) and sometimes weird dreams. I am so at ease these days. I no longer have any stress-related pain. My quality of life has been vastly improved."

10 / 10
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243 Report
  • Ffxx
  • May 9, 2021

"My doctor prescribed me amitriptyline due to severe stress, physical unexplained symptoms very similar to auto immune diseases such as lupus and reynaud’s syndrome but with negative ANA and no R factor they written these off. I have joint inflammation but they don’t think is arthritis and I have all sort of strange pain coming and going in different parts of the body. Severe night sweats and insomnia. Amitriptyline has really helped me. I started on 10mg for a week, first week I was a bit drowsy in the morning but I still tend to go to sleep and take it quite late. I bumped up to 25mg and I am so much better. No painful emotions and moods swings, no anxiety, I can concentrate more at work and I feel I am achieving more than usual. I sleep well even if I still tend to go to sleep late, no more night sweats! My physical symptoms are better too. I was on Xanax before which had some terrible side effects and increased my anxiety and didn’t help me with sleep."

10 / 10
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120 Report
  • revie...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 13, 2017

"I have been having a lot of anxiety and panic attacks owing to a lot of undue pressure from family. Just last year I had so much panic attacks doing exams and an OPD doctor I met two weeks ago prescribed Amitriptyline 25mg (1/2 a tablet in the night after meals) and the effect is phenomenal!! It helps me have really deep sleep and it has reduced my anxiety and panic attacks to a zero. This medicine is the best for anyone who is undergoing severe stress, panic attacks or prolonged periods of sadness. I have tried other drugs such as valium and other seretonin based medicine but none of them have worked as effective as this drug! hope this review helps :)"

10 / 10
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239 Report
  • Miria...
  • May 5, 2017

"I'm always super nervous about taking new meds. So before I do, I always check up online to see other's experience with it. I saw a lot of really negative stuff about amitriptyline. I have to say, I was happily surprised with the outcome. I get really good, heavy sleep and even after the first dose I noticed less anxiety and a happier mood, which is only getting better day by day. This med, along with yoga, lots of meditation, calming teas, and a healthy diet can truly go a long way if you're sincerely dedicated. 10/10 from me. Good luck!"

10 / 10
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216 Report
  • Digge...
  • March 4, 2017

"I have been dealing with major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and manic depression since I was a teen (now 41) due to extreme childhood trauma. I have also had substance abuse/self-medication issues for these same reasons for over 20 years now. Clean and sober, my insomnia and anxiety was so severe that I would get about 2-3 hrs of sleep naturally at night or with weed (also stopped...) Finally could not stand it anymore as I was getting to the point that was was having bad thoughts about not wanting to be here anymore.. I'm an accountant who is a single mother with a special needs 3 year old and works over 50 hours per week, so, my stress is about as high as it can get. I LOVE THIS MED. HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER."

10 / 10
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219 Report
  • Gwen
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 20, 2019

"I took amitriptyline for a year back in 2016. It did wonders for my anxiety, insomnia and nerve pain. I stopped taking it because I had gained 30 pounds in that year and I was afraid that I would just keep gaining. Over the last 3 years I have tried medical marijuana, prozac, nortriptyline, zoloft, CBT, residential treatment and more to try and treat my anxiety and C-PTSD. Nothing helped and the SSRIs caused severe side effects. Last week I decided to go back on the amitriptyline. The morning after I took my 1st 10mg dose I already felt calmer. My mood is better, my anxiety is better and I am sleeping well. I just bumped up to 20mg last night. Other than a bit of grogginess for a day or two after each dosage bump and a slow creep of my weight I don't have any side effects from this medication. I plan on watching my nutrition and getting more exercise this time around. I'm thankful I'm back on the only meds that have ever worked for me."

9 / 10
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163 Report
  • Inked
  • June 20, 2017

"Why wasn't I given this medication long ago. Works great for me don't have one little bit of anxiety anymore except when I forget to take it lol it's helped me a lot I do more exercise can get out more and enjoy life and I'm not stuck at home anymore being anxious about things hope this helps other people with the same problem."

10 / 10
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208 Report
  • Lee
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 24, 2019

"I've been taking these meds for over a year and it has done wonders for me. I've tried other medications for anxiety and depression but none of them worked and most just made my depression worse and did nothing for my anxiety so I stopped trying meds for that for a while. My doctor originally prescribed amitriptyline for insomnia but was hopeful it'd help with anxiety too. I have never slept better in my life and it's reduced my anxiety a miraculous amount. The first few days taking it made me feel awful and I was out of it the whole time but after that it only got better. I tried going off it after a year but the anxiety was unbearable and I got little to no sleep so I'm back on it. Only side effect is that my heartbeat is faster than normal, especially at night but not to a degree where it's unbearable."

9 / 10
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130 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.