Amitriptyline and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 3)

• tes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2021

For Depression "Took Zoloft (Sertraline) for social anxiety for 3 years. Feelings were too numbing, couldn't even cry when I wanted... not natural. Doc put me on 50 mg of amitriptyline at first, but the dose resulted in severe constipation. So reduced to 25 mg at bedtime, and stool softener, more water, fiber, and workouts 2 or 3 days a week. If you're taking iron, it may cause moderate constipation, be aware it could possibly make bowel movements difficult."

• nel...
• August 1, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I developed fibromyalgia recently. I had been on a low dose of a similar medication (Doxepin) for a long time, mainly for a sleep disorder. The neurologist I saw for my fibromyalgia suggested switching from Doxepin to amitriptyline. Overall, I am glad I made the switch, as my fibromyalgia is now much more manageable. I take 35 mg of amitriptyline nightly. Initially very sedating, but now less so. It has also helped my irritable bowel syndrome. On the negative side, it has led to constipation problems, and my irritable bladder (bladder urgency) is now much more chronic, which is surprising because amitriptyline has higher anticholinergic properties. But my pharmacist feels that Doxepin must have helped me more with that. NOTE: Beware of combining amitriptyline with Detrol LA (for bladder urgency)."

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2021

For Insomnia "I've been on a 100 mg dose of Amitriptyline at bedtime for months. I suffer terribly with insomnia. It's not working as well as it has the past several months. I'm going to ask for an increase at my next visit. Has anyone taken a 200 mg dose at bedtime, and if so, does it work better for sleep? Will it make me super sleepy during the day? And don't even get me started on the constipation side effect issue, lol."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2018

For Depression "Was prescribed for bipolar depression. At first, it helped with insomnia (and relieved constipation!), which was a godsend, but faded after a few weeks. After 1 month, I had crippling fatigue, and it seriously jacked my heart rate up, so lowered from 75 to 50 mg. Spent another month developing akathisia before finally ditching it. I’m sure it’s great for some, but my body hated it. Not to mention it did squat for my mood."

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Amitriptyline 10 mg once a day, they are small tabs, which I like, and taking them once a day is enough for me, but made no difference to me for IBS. All they did was make me sleep a lot longer. I had a job getting up in the mornings, made me have some weird dreams, made my fingers go white, I had dry mouth, constipation. Now worse. I also put a stone and a half on within 2 weeks. I am still bloated, so it has done nothing for me. I have lower right abdominal pain. I changed my eating and drinking habits so many times and tried different things, had so many scans, endoscopy, etc. I know I have 3 gallstones, but they are not blocking my bile ducts, so I know they are not the problem. Docs and hospital say it's a mystery, I say no, I am in pain. No one helps over-the-counter meds like Buscopan, antacids, probiotics. I have tried them all, and none of them work. I have a feeling I know what it is, but trying to convince my doctors is another matter. I am glad this is working for some of you, but it is not for me."

• hea...
• January 15, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "Like many who have commented here, I have experienced almost total relief from recurring migraine headaches-due to cranial nerve inflammation stemming from arthritis in C4 and C5. Before I started the amitriptyline, I had a strong headache nearly 24/7, with crushing flares maybe 2x per week. I was treating them with NSAIDs and Tramadol to keep them under control, with a triptan for the flares. My doctor put me on a regimen involving titration from 50 mg up to 300 mg over a 5-week period. I only got to 150 mg before the side effects (lethargy, dry mouth, constipation) were too much for me. I have backed down to 50 mg before bed, and that is working pretty well. My quality of life is so much better. You'll get used to the side effects."

• ALB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "For 3 weeks, I had a sharp pain on the right side of my temple (ice pick headaches), and then all of a sudden, I had the worst headache I had ever experienced. I had it for 7 days, and it felt like a concussion. I went to A&E, and they said it is nothing serious and would ease, but it didn't. I went to my doctor, and they prescribed me 10mg of amitriptyline. The first day was awful, I felt like I was a zombie, but each day got better. The side effects eased, and no headache! The only lasting side effects I've had are a dry mouth and constipation, minor things in comparison to the headache. I now drink more water. My doctor has suggested I come off amitriptyline to see if the headache has passed. Overall, my experience has been positive, don't be worried about the initial side effects. You will feel more like yourself after a couple of days. I'd recommend you take it before 8 pm to avoid any initial drowsiness. It works for headaches and is such a low dose."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2009

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "Does not have the constipation side effect of nortriptyline, which is a plus if you ask me. With the help of my physician, I have looked for a miracle, and the answer came with a combo of amitriptyline-topamax. It is not the ultimate cure (I still get an episode here and there, but hey, I can take being sick once a month or month and a half), but in the meantime, no vomiting, no migraine, no 'can someone hand me that screwdriver' if you know what I mean. It worked for me, hope it helps someone else."

• IBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I spent a year going through all kinds of testing: contrast CT, scope, bloodwork, specialists, etc. I have IBS-D. Before I was diagnosed, I tried amitriptyline. It made me sleep too much. I became confused mentally and physically constipated. 10 mg at night. (I took that for 4 days, became so confused I had to stop. Felt sick for 2 weeks!) After diagnosis, I've tried loperamide. I take diazepam, loperamide reduces first-pass metabolism. I did not absorb the diazepam properly. Decided to try amitriptyline again. It's all I am offered. With diazepam, 10 mg makes me so groggy I can't function. The worst part is constipation while experiencing tenesmus. I frequently feel the need, but this medication makes it impossible. I personally can't function. It doesn't reduce anxiety, and it makes my IBS-D problems worse. It seems to help people, I wish it helped me."

• drm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2015

For Depression "Works great! Tried most antidepressants, this works the best for me. Dry mouth and constipation lessen over time, but it is still quite sedating."

• Tom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2018

For Pain "Amitriptyline is a rubbish drug. Sure, it gets rid of pain, but was so constipated I did not do a poo for 2 weeks - it is no joke."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 28, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This is the only prescription medication I have tried that controls IBS-D symptoms. A negative is constipation."