Amitriptyline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)
Amitriptyline has an average rating of 7.6 out of 10 from a total of 1,755 reviews on Drugs.com. 69% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 16% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Amitriptyline
- Bobby...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 19, 2014
For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines on and off since my teens, always visual patterns, then wham! The headache. A few years ago, I just had the patterns and no pain. Then it changed to tension neck pain which then turned into a headache as soon as I woke up more or less daily. Imigran helped but I was popping them like smarties. I tried giving up all the known triggers, but nothing helped. Then a couple of months ago, the doctor prescribed Amitriptyline 25mg every night. I have had maybe 2 or 3 slight headaches since. The first week I was a little woozy, but that passed. Now I wake up with a dry mouth and food tastes different, but no headache. It used to be unusual to wake up with no headache, now it's unusual to wake up with one. I recommend anyone to give it a try."
- Linda...
- April 16, 2016
For Anxiety and Stress "I have been very against any kind of mental health medication, and was very reluctant to try amitriptyline, but my anxiety and insomnia were eroding my quality of life. This has literally been a wonder drug for me, and on such a low dosage. 20mg at night and 10mg each morning. My anxiety is greatly reduced, and intrusive nagging thoughts have vanished. I don't know if this is because I am now sleeping well for the first time ever, or because of the mild sedating effects. But whatever, it certainly works, and I was so sure it wouldn't. Only side effect is a dry mouth, but that's easily remedied with a sip of water. A very positive experience. It really has changed my life for the better."
Frequently asked questions
- anony...
- September 23, 2014
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Anxiety and Stress "This medication has been very effective for my anxiety. I've taken 75mg for the past 9 years. No more heart palpitations or tightness in my chest. I have tried others prior to Elavil, but found I woke up with a hangover and an out-of-body feeling. If I forget to order a refill before I run out, it takes 3 days to feel the effects."
- mr_tee
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 1, 2024
For Insomnia "Been on and off various antipsychotics and OTC sleep aids for the past 20 years. In one single night, it has pretty much cured my insomnia. I got up feeling great, no hangovers, like, what the hell? It was so bizarre. I now feel absolutely fantastic and am able to sleep and wake up like a normal person. Why was I not given this as an option sooner? Everything else is completely trash compared to this. I have only been taking 10mg, and for the past 8 weeks, I have never felt better. I feel like on a permanent very low-level manageable hypomania - if that makes sense. I feel like a human again thanks to this ancient medicine. Anxiety, stress, and depression have significantly dropped, it's the gift that keeps on giving. So what's the catch? I get pretty bad dry mouth, but I see that as almost nonexistent compared to everything else the other medications have given me. I'd give this a 20 out of 10 if I could. It's out of this world, and I'm extremely pleased with how it's working out so far."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Thank...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- August 5, 2017
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Anxiety and Stress "Started 25mg for crippling panic attacks! Had them for 6-7 months without even any relief from Xanax... first and only med that has worked for me without side effects! Couldn't even take an SSRI, felt so sick from them... 25mg saved my life!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 2, 2012
For Depression "I started this medicine just last week and have already had a complete personality change for the better. I didn't even realize how bad my depression was until I got rid of it. I didn't think any medication would work, let alone so quickly. This medication has planted the seed of a thought in my head: there is always hope!"
- Changed...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 6, 2014
For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking this medicine for 4 months now at 50mg at bedtime and it has changed my life. Anxiety, stress and depression are strongly minimized. I fall instantly asleep instead of being up all night worrying. Best sleep in 20 years."
- Angel...
- January 21, 2016
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on about everything you can imagine for my stress and anxiety. Nothing worked and for years I have been miserable. I was put on Elavil and didn't feel much of an effect but once the doctor bumped me up to 100 mg a day, I am a new person. It has changed my life. I wake up and feel like dancing!"
- Anonymous
- April 22, 2008
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Insomnia "I was prescribed Elavil to help me sleep. I used to toss and turn and think about the day, the next day, and the day after. I take this medication, and I am asleep within 20 minutes. I sleep all night without waking up. I also take it to get a complete night's sleep to refresh my body to fight the next day with fibromyalgia."
- Chloe
- November 13, 2013
For Pain "I suffered with chronic pain for about seven years. Went to many specialists who told me either nothing was wrong or I had fibromyalgia. I tried all medications out there for pain, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and medication for epilepsy. As well as meds for fibro. Nothing helped. Finally, I found a new neurologist who put me on a combination of Amitriptyline and Prozac. I am on both the smallest doses. It has been a miracle for my pain. I wish I would have known about this 7 years ago. My biggest problem with it is weight gain like 13 pounds. My diet has not changed and I took up running. But no weight comes off. I guess I would rather have less pain and be a little overweight than skinny and in tons of pain."
- Heahen
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 13, 2021
For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't found these reviews. After 17 months of daily pain & worsening diarrhea (which started out of the blue), I stumbled across this page & asked my gastroenterologist to prescribe this med. Within 10 days on 10 mg my pain was gone. After increasing to 20 mg, I started having normal bowel movements most days. I did just have a bad 4-day flare-up so I'm increasing to 30 mg. In the last year, I've had endoscopy, colonoscopy, CAT scan, swallowing study, fecal & blood tests, & gene testing. I've tried Imodium, Bentyl, Pepto, iron pills, fiber & Gas-X, acupuncture, probiotics, meditation. Nothing worked. I have never been suicidal but had been wondering (at age 49) if all my good years were behind me & life wasn't worth living. I hope my dose increase helps. If so, this is a miracle drug. The dry mouth & slight fatigue are worth it."
- Anonymous
- December 11, 2023
For Insomnia "I probably tried every prescription drug; every natural remedy... everything. I suffered from brutal insomnia for 30 years. After 2 years on Amitriptyline, I can honestly say this medicine has given me my life back. I'm shocked to sleep well every night. Incredible relief."
- Michele
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 18, 2020
For Migraine Prevention "I have been diagnosed with chronic migraine disease. I began taking amitriptyline as a preventative 1 and a half years ago, while having more than 19 migraines per month. The preventative reduces my migraine down to about one or two migraines per month!"
- SGano
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- June 11, 2020
For Fibromyalgia "After suffering for years and the pain of not knowing that I had fibromyalgia, I finally found a doctor who sent me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me in one visit with fibromyalgia. The doctor said I probably had it for a long time. I was already taking amitriptyline for depression and irritable bowel syndrome when the doctor told me that it would be a great medicine for me to try for fibromyalgia. However, I had only been taking it when I couldn’t sleep. I started taking it every night, and my pain level has at least been cut in half. It's important to take amitriptyline every night for it to be effective for fibromyalgia. I have never had any side effects or bad reactions to amitriptyline and I have been taking it for five years."
- Ilove...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 14, 2020
For Depression "Please don't be afraid to take Amitriptyline. I have taken Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Pristiq, and finally Amitriptyline. Wellbutrin gave me a horrendous rash and worsened anxiety. Prozac did nothing. Zoloft made me gain 50 pounds because I loved to sleep on it. Pristiq was OK, but I still had some awful PMS symptoms (cramps, anxiety, and migraines). Trintellix didn't work. Amitriptyline is my saving grace! Don't be afraid of it. My doctor avoided prescribing it because it has such a bad reputation. I'm doing Keto and IF (intermittent fasting) to counteract it. I feel fantastic, stable, happy, I get a great night's rest, and I have energy! ❤️ When you first start it, it will knock you out for about 24 hours. I'd start it when you have the following day off work."
- dezeag
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- July 8, 2014
For Insomnia "I currently take 25mg and sleep just fine. Remember that lower dosages 25-50mg are for insomnia, the more you take, you move into the antidepressant effects and become less effective for sleep. So 300mg isn't going to help your insomnia and may increase it."
- ladybug
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- June 20, 2016
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Depression "I am a mother of 3 kids, 33, and have anxiety/depression. I was on Effexor 150 mg. This should be illegal! It didn't work and if a dose was missed, it felt like a few hours of a drug 'rush' like speed or cocaine... intense night sweats, highly addictive. AVOID! Celexa had bad sexual side effects. Zoloft is a 'robot drug'. I am getting back to Elavil 10 mg. Elavil is great, I feel happy on it. It makes me enjoy life and the little things again. I don't need to take much for it to work and I have no side effects at all on a 10 mg daily dose. I felt sleepy for two weeks when I started but it resorbs and you can then feel its full beneficial effects quickly, general mood elevation, and good feeling. Anxiety is under control on it and I sleep better."
- barsha
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- August 8, 2013
Endep (amitriptyline) for Pain "I am taking Endep 100mg at night for nerve pain in my lower left leg and the outer side of my right leg. The nerve pain was intolerable, and I was seriously suicidal. I have been on Endep, Baclofen, and Epilim for 7 years and can now enjoy my life so much more. The downside is loss of libido and dry mouth, but without Endep, I could not enjoy my life at all."
- 30yr ...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 16, 2020
For Anxiety and Stress "In the beginning, amitriptyline was a terrible drug for me. I took it once during a pretty bad period of anxiety, about 30mg, and it just took me from anxious to being confused and emotionally passive. So I thought it was not for me. Then I started taking 5mg for pain after some pain in my shoulder combined with migraine attacks. Not only did it help me sleep at night, but it also started doing wonders for my anxiety. So I think if you manage to power through the drowsy period when you get used to it, it's actually a really great drug with few side effects. I used to swear by gabapentin, but amitriptyline has proven to be so much better. It has reduced my need for so many other drugs, and I've gotten my brain function back due to less heavy drugs. It has also made me need medication less often, which is eventually what you want."
- Yikes
- September 30, 2013
Elavil (amitriptyline) for Fibromyalgia "I have only been taking Elavil for two weeks but I've been in pain for twenty years. I also have big problems sleeping and staying asleep. Since I started Elavil, I have less pain plus I sleep well. I actually had a no pain day, which I have not had in a long time."
- Sri
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 25, 2018
For Anxiety and Stress "Amitriptyline worked well for insomnia, depression, anxiety, sadness, lack of interest in daily activities, boredom, suicidal thoughts, etc. Helped relieve headache, migraine, and nerve pain. It saved my life... thanks a lot."
- Zubie
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 10, 2015
Endep (amitriptyline) for Pain "My doctor prescribed this as my pain from arthritis was constantly waking me up every night. From day 1, it has enabled me to get a full night's sleep. I will keep taking it, as nothing else has worked. It does not, in any way, interfere with daily work—a godsend."
- It Wo...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- October 26, 2013
For Depression "I was one of those people who thought nothing would work for me - I was too far gone and beyond help. Restless, sleepless nights and all the anxiety and depression were killing me. And then I found Amitriptyline. At last... Sleep. That's all that mattered to begin with. You simply cannot underestimate the power of sleep. During the day I felt far less agitated and less stressed. Of course, life can still throw slings and arrows your way and there are side effects for sure, but none as bad as the frazzled state I was in before I took them."
- Kayli...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 29, 2013
For Pain "I was prescribed this medication for insomnia and depression. I suffer from lupus, Hashimoto's disease, fibromyalgia, CFS, and C-PTSD. I've been on it for about four weeks. I've noticed a significant drop in pain on many days than not. I sleep a solid eight to nine hours a night. I've noticed that I'm calmer, but I'm on a very low dose of 10mg, but will request an increase. I also hope to drop my narcotic pain medication intake to zero if this continues to work as well as it has. Getting sleep is a major issue and one that cannot be undermined when considering the elements that contribute to chronic illness of any kind. This is amazing. Dry mouth and nighttime vertigo during the first few weeks of use."
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.
More about amitriptyline
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: tricyclic antidepressants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this med for a week for anxiety and depression following a major operation for cancer. I just couldn't pick myself up, had a breakdown, I guess. Started at 25mg, then up to 50mg. Sleep like a baby. No side effects apart from a healthy appetite, which I need as I've lost weight. They have saved my life. I got so low I didn't want to be here."