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Amitriptyline for Interstitial Cystitis User Reviews

Amitriptyline has an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 from a total of 83 reviews for the off-label treatment of Interstitial Cystitis. 78% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.

Amitriptyline rating summary

8.2/10 average rating

83 ratings from 89 user reviews.

Compare all 21 medications used in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis.

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Reviews for Amitriptyline

  • Snake
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 6, 2020

"I’ve been on this medication for 11 years. It has literally saved me! I no longer have panic attacks, and (fingers crossed) it has stopped my Interstitial Cystitis (IC) flare ups. I couldn’t function from my IC the pain was absolutely miserable. I take Amitriptyline at night 30 minutes before bed. The timing of when you take this medicine is important. I accidentally took it one morning and couldn’t function. You HAVE to take it at night only. I only take 25 mgs. I’ve been on the same milligrams since day one. I’ve not had one panic attack since I started this medicine 11 years ago. I couldn’t go without it because it’s changed my life so much for the good. I wish everyone the best of luck with their health and happiness."

10 / 10
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  • Hugs
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 11, 2018

"I have had IC and Vulvodynia for around a year and a half. My symptoms include painful intercourse, pelvic pain, burning urethra. I tried Elmiron and it made my symptoms 10 times worse, so I stopped within three weeks of my start date. I recently was prescribed Amitriptyline 25mg and I have been on it for a month. I take it at night around 9 PM and find that it makes me drowsy. It also keeps me in a deep sleep (which I love). In the morning, it is a little harder to wake up, but once I am up, I am fully functional and not tired. During the first two weeks, I didn't experience any relief, but by the third week, my symptoms disappeared. I am in shock that something actually worked being that I have tried almost EVERYTHING. I now can drink an 8-ounce cup of coffee a day and not feel any burning or pain when I urinate. If you have been suffering for some time with IC/Vulvodynia, I highly suggest trying this medication."

10 / 10
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104 Report
  • Ell...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 18, 2019

Elavil (amitriptyline) "Finally have relief of 3 years relentless pain from interstitial cystitis. The grogginess and constipation only downside. Made remarkable difference to urgency and pain. Feel a new women. Thought I’d never have relief ! Thank you "

9 / 10
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82 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • addie
  • October 3, 2019

"I had been going to multiple doctors trying to figure out why I kept burning when using the bathroom for 3 months straight. Not even urologists could figure out what was going on. Finally, a doctor diagnosed me with IC. I was given 25mg of amitriptyline to take twice a day. It only took 2 days for my symptoms to go away. I felt so relieved. It does make me really tired throughout the day, & I find it harder to wake up. However; once I’m up I feel so much more energized. Not only has this medicine helped my IC, but has also made me feel like whole new person."

10 / 10
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73 Report
  • Lara...
  • March 20, 2015

"I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis several months ago. The pain was so debilitating that I couldn't even see patients for about 3 days (I'm a dentist). The pain brought me to tears. I was afraid that I would have to go on disibility. My new urologist put me on amytripyline a few weeks ago. It worked almost immediately. Most days I'm almost pain-free. I got my life back."

10 / 10
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118 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Cookie
  • August 19, 2018

"Until I was on this I was in so much discomfit. I felt like an elephant was treading in my bladder, felt like I needed to wee all the time. I had pressure in my vagina plus other symptoms . Then within a week of taking this I felt so much better been on it 3 yrs now. I still have the odd day of discomfit but this drug is brilliant. If you have IC please do try this."

9 / 10
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73 Report
  • Schmea
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 16, 2014

"I could barely function after 2pm until I went on this medicine. I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis in August-it was devastating. My quality of life was horrible--pain through the roof and urgency. I could barely get my kids to school every day. After 1 day of 25 mg Amytriptiline at bedtime, my pain virtually disappeared. It saved my life."

10 / 10
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101 Report
  • Chellie
  • December 14, 2018

"I have had Pelvic Floor Dysfunction/IC for over 2 years. I tried Elavil when I was first experimenting with therapies (others included Physical Therapy, Elmiron, Baclofen suppositories, bladder cocktail, Ditropan, elimination diet) a lot of stuff to say the least lol. And eventually I was cured! Since I tried so many different things I wasn't sure which one fixed me. But I had no more pain or bladder issues and I discontinued all drugs for a long time...over a year! Then sure as the world the issues and pain came back. My doc put me back on Elavil after struggling with the issues again for over a month. I kid you not after ONE dose I was back to normal and in remission again. This stuff is great and WAY cheaper than other therapies! Thanks Elavil! I didnt give 10 starts because it makes me sooo sleepy but I will take it over the pelvic floor and bladder pain!"

8 / 10
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54 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 18, 2018

"I have been suffering with cystitis for almost a year. I had bladder instillations and they seemed to give me more pain.They irritated my bladder. Recently went to the ER thinking I had a blazing UTI infection. It was the cystitis acting up again. The pain was just unbearable. I really want to do some natural herbs to treat this. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to research or try anything yet because I have been busy with kids and a new job. ANY natural herb suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Anyways, the ER doc gave me 25mg of Elavil to take at bedtime. This is my first week on it and it does seem miraculous. I slept peacefully and woke up with no pain. Normally, I wake up in horrendous pain. I have been taking Prelief and pyridium, but recently that just doesn't take the pain away. I am so thankful there is something out there that works! Post on any suggestions on natural supplements would be so appreciated."

10 / 10
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53 Report
  • Saiiri
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 23, 2015

"Started on 10mg of amitriptyline for my Interstitial Cystitis related nerve pain. Went up to 20mg after a month and it has been a miracle at reducing my pain for the last six months that I have been on it. I haven't experienced any weight gain while on it. I felt groggy at first but that went away after a few weeks."

9 / 10
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75 Report
  • Chica
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 2, 2017

Elavil (amitriptyline) "39 years old, The 1st few days, no change, Urologist put me on 25 mg, twice a day, it made me so drowsy & thirsty, only took 1 pill at night, on the 14th day is when I had no more pressure or frequency on my bladder, I was back to normal, so I made the mistake of drinking coffee, huge mistake! Took medication the next day, this time morning & night, symptoms disappeared, I suggest taking Prelief before drinking coffee or any acidic food, be patient with this medicine, takes a little while to work but IT WORKS!"

10 / 10
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59 Report
  • Brandy
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 9, 2020

"I take 25 mg amitriptyline for Interstitial cystitis I was experiencing some severe pain and other symptoms, Endep has been my saviour it won’t cure me as IC is incurable but at least I now have better quality of life."

10 / 10
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34 Report
  • 41rice
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 11, 2013

Elavil (amitriptyline) "Actually I started taking it for severe nerve pain in my neck and I have Interstitial Cystitis as well since taking it I have had great success with the management of pain. I have gained 35 lbs while being on the medication, but sometimes you have no choice. Hands down give me a life without pain and suffering with 35 extra lbs. I will gladly take poundage over pain any day."

10 / 10
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78 Report
  • Susie
  • January 23, 2017

"I was diagnosed with IC shortly after the birth of my second son, in 1998. Tried Elmiron and it did nothing to help with the pain or urgency. I spent about 8 months thinking I had frequent UTI's, before diagnosing this correctly. Once I went on the elavil, and changed my diet, my symptoms improved dramatically and quickly. It worked very well. After about 10 years, I decided to wean myself off of it and see if I could live without the medication and just watch my diet. I was good for about a month. The awful pain and urgency came back with a vengence. I was in tears. As soon as I went back on the elavil, within 1 day I was feeling almost completely normal again. I am resigned to being on 25 mg daily of elavil for life."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • anne
  • July 21, 2009

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I take amitriptyline 10mg at bedtime. I have been taking it for about 5 weeks now. It has made a big difference with my bladder and my mood. I am going to try and increase the dose as it doesn't help me sleep. I am overall very happy with the results of this medicine for my bladder. I have had Interstitial cystitis for 10 years."

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97 Report
  • Phoenix
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 26, 2018

Elavil (amitriptyline) "I have had symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis for a couple of years. Started on 25mg of Elavil in the early evening. In ONE day the symptoms were mostly gone. It's the only treatment that has really worked for me. After taking 25mg per day for a couple of weeks I started cutting back on the dose and have finally settled on 5mg per night. It's enough to cut most of the symptoms. I still have to watch what I eat and do pelvic stretches."

9 / 10
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43 Report
  • LisaPon
  • February 26, 2017

"I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, had severe baldder pain and pressure for a couple of months. I used OTC meds and even low dose hydromorphone, but it did not help. My doctor prescribed amitriptyline 25mg, however told me to cut it in half and initially use 12.5mg to see if it helps, if not, increase to 25. I took the half pill in the evening, and in the morning I woke up with no bladder pain, first time in months. During the day I still had some bladder pressure, but no pain. After 2 weeks on the amitriptyline my pain and pressure are all gone. Have not noticed any side effects, perhaps An occasional constipation, so I started taking fiber."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Empath
  • October 3, 2020

"Amitriptyline has made me extremely mean, and I can't control it. It's like I'm a different person when it's in my system. It totally effect me parenting my children. I have flushed the remaining pills in the toilet."

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27 Report
  • anagum
  • June 18, 2015

"I started at 10 mg on this, but quickly went to 25 mg, as the pain was too much. Now I´ve levelled it to 20 mg per day, in the evening, and it has been wonderful, This, along with a careful diet, have helped and almost put in remission my IC symptoms. Side effects for me include grogginess, but that´s wearing away the more I take it and, for sure, a huge spike in my apetite, which I´ve had to be careful about as I don´t want to gain weight on it. It´s not a miracle drug, but it worked for me, and I think anyone suffering from this condition should give it a try."

9 / 10
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53 Report
  • Hhf
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 24, 2015

"This really has changed my life! I suffered a whole year thinking my urethral stricture was the cause, after that was sorted I still carried on with what felt like constant cystitis. My urologist finally diagnosed Interstitial Cystitis and started me on 20mg of amitriptyline. After 10-14days it worked! Have the very odd day of mild discomfort but it's changed my life. I haven't noticed side effects as yet, on my 9th week on them."

10 / 10
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52 Report
  • shell
  • July 12, 2011

Endep (amitriptyline) "I had been tested for everything to try and find the cause of constant bladder infections, or so I thought. It wasn't till I saw a urologist that I found the answer to my problem. I never had Bladder infections, but chronic cystitis, found after some very intrusive camera shots of my bladder. She first tried stretching my bladder to see if this helped. It didn't. She then suggested Endep, not for depression but it had been used for cystitis and burning mouth, which I also suffer from. It has helped my burning bladder problem 100% as long as I don't forget to take my tablets. If I forget just one, I have the pain back for about two weeks before I get back on track. My burning mouth is also about 60% better but not gone. "Side effects weight gain"."

10 / 10
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63 Report
  • esese
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 28, 2021

"I'm 21 and diagnosed with IC. Been on this medication for 3 days and it has worked, ALL MY SYMPTOMS are almost completely gone. I had a lot of burning and pain. So far this is the only med that helped me almost completely. I only take half a 25 mg pill. So far it covers me. Had no side effect yet other than dry mouth and a little fatigue. I tried uribel, black seed oil, two alfa blockers (silodosin, tamsulosin) and quercetin. None helped the way this medication did. If you have interstitial cystitis you have to try this I never thought I'd get this much pain relief."

10 / 10
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19 Report
  • IC Pa...
  • January 12, 2014

"I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis about 2 years ago. I tried bladder instillations, read books about natural healing and pretty much refused any medication. After a year and a half of suffering and trying gluten free, dairy free, egg free, yeast free for over 8 weeks I finally gave up the natural route and agreed to 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day. Bottom line--it works. It really does. I still have the frequency but the pain is almost completely gone. There have been some days when I feel the pain but I take an extra dose and it helps so much. I do have to say though, it makes me tired, I've gained about 30 pounds and waking up in the morning is harder than ever. Still, it's worth it."

9 / 10
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49 Report
  • Adre
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 26, 2016

Elavil (amitriptyline) "Unfortunately this medication had a very negative effect on me. I was supposed to take it for occasional nerve zaps that I get from having IC. When I took it, it didn't take the pain away. Instead it changed it into a CONSTANT burning pain which is way worse than the previous zaps. I stopped taking it, and although I was on a low dose 25mg a night, I got horrible withdrawal symptoms and am still dealing with panic attacks upon waking up. I know this drug has been a godsend for some people, but please be careful because it has the potential to make things way worse."

1 / 10
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39 Report
  • Cat
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 15, 2019

"I was prescribed Amitriptyline for the above condition and have taken 1/2 of a 25 mg only at night for 8 nights. I've had trouble with my memory the last few days and I just had a sudden, very severe dizzy spell where I fell to the floor and I had no warning. Had I been driving or walking down a staircase, I and others may have been hurt or killed. I just called the pharmacist to see if I can go off it today. She said since it was such a low dose and I've taken only 8 1/2 pills, I could. I will never take this pill again."

1 / 10
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27 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.

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