Amitriptyline and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "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 of weeks, you won't regret it."

• Daw...
• February 26, 2017

For Pain "Scared to death of taking it, but broke tabs in half to 5 mg in order to increase the dose slowly. I have developed a bit of chronic tooth pain, so I'm taking it for pain. Took it at 7 pm and felt mildly sedated by 11 pm. Actually didn't sleep well, but I think I was on high alert for the side effects, which didn't happen. A bit groggy in the morning, but nothing special that I can't deal with. I think the way to go is to build up if you are scared of meds like me. I wrote this to encourage others to try the medicine because I am as scared as anyone to take drugs like this."

• Daw...
• February 26, 2017

For Pain "Scared to death of taking it, but broke tabs in half to 5 mg in order to increase the dose slowly. I have developed a bit of chronic tooth pain, so I'm taking it for pain. Took it at 7 pm and felt mildly sedated by 11 pm. Actually didn't sleep well, but I think I was on high alert for the side effects, which didn't happen. A bit groggy in the morning, but nothing special that I can't deal with. I think the way to go is to build up if you are scared of meds like me. I wrote this to encourage others to try the medicine because I am as scared as anyone to take drugs like this."

• M B...
• February 24, 2017

Amitriptyline for Anxiety and Stress "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."

• TN ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2013

Amitriptyline for Pain "This medicine is AMAZING for pain. I have trigeminal neuralgia and I take it at night. It gives you a calm feeling and makes you not care about the pain. I just had my dose doubled, and it takes a few days to get used to the medicine and/or new levels, and the higher dose knocked me out for literally two days, just like when it was first prescribed. But I can't rave about it enough."

• Ffx...
• May 9, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "My doctor prescribed me amitriptyline due to severe stress, physical unexplained symptoms very similar to autoimmune diseases such as lupus and Raynaud’s syndrome but with negative ANA and no RF they written these off. I have joint inflammation but they don’t think it is arthritis and I have all sorts 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 mood 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."

• Gwe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "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 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."

• Yor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Pain "I started taking amitriptyline 10mg on 1st Jan 2019. Initially, I slept 12 hours a night, had weird dreams, and was groggy and a little dizzy. This passed, though, after a couple of months. I have now been on it for 4 months and still sleeping well. It helps with pain and has helped with menopause and watery eyes too. Initially, I put on about 8 lbs, but now I am losing it again as I feel so much better and have lots of energy. My only regret is I didn’t start taking it 10 years ago. My advice: persevere as you get used to it and it will help."

• Mer...
• January 9, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After years of suffering from IBS-D, trying multiple prescriptions, diets, over-the-counter meds, etc., I heard about the use of antidepressants to treat it. My GP prescribed Zoloft, but after reading about side effects and personal accounts from other IBS-D sufferers, I decided the risk outweighed the reward. Continued doing research and came across posts about amitriptyline. Sounded promising, side effects of constipation/sleepiness were very appealing. I've also been dealing with intermittent sleep anxiety and insomnia. GI doc agreed to prescribe amitriptyline. Starting dose was 10mg/night. Didn't notice any change or side effects or improvement. Bumped it up to 20mg and definitely noticed a difference. BMs were improving, anxiety and stress levels were way down, sleeping great. Started to feel like my old self again. Been taking 25mg since Nov 2019 and have had 0 negative side effects. Highly recommend this drug amitriptyline to those suffering from IBS-D whose main trigger is anxiety."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2014

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "Amitriptyline has helped my insomnia by a tenfold. I have issues staying asleep due to my fibromyalgia and anxiety. I sleep all night for once. Unfortunately, it has side effects: no appetite, impotence, daytime drowsiness, constipation."

• Bet...
• September 23, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I take amitriptyline 30 to 35 mg for IBS-C since being diagnosed 10 years ago. Truly a miracle drug for me. The pain, nausea, and bloating were unbearable and ruining my life. Amitriptyline took care of it all! It took about 4 to 6 weeks for full effect and I felt pretty spacey and almost like in a drunken state until my body adjusted. But it was well worth it and I would highly recommend it. I take it at bedtime and drowsiness is not an issue. Dry mouth is tolerable. I wish more doctors would prescribe it for IBS and start patients on it sooner to decrease patients' suffering."

• Vic...
• May 1, 2020

For Insomnia "I'm 57, healthy fit male. I struggle with insomnia and have since 2010. It got really bad, wouldn’t sleep consistently for 3-5 days at a time. On the 4th-5th day I’d fall asleep... sleep for 6-7 hours and then do it all over again. My doc gave me Amitriptyline, 10 mg. I sleep like a baby! And the dreams are incredible. However, at the 4th day mark I start feeling very achy, a bit depressed, and mentally groggy. I don’t “wake up” mentally until 1-2 pm the following day. (So, I just use it 2-3x a week.) So, of the prescribed sleep drugs I’ve been given, I do like Amitriptyline... it does help me sleep and the dreams are unreal! It’s like I’m in a wild, crazy adventure movie every night! But, even at a very low dose, it causes me to feel a bit depressed, groggy, brain fog, and achy. Oh, almost forgot. It increases my libido a wee bit (hence the wild dreams!) ;-) So, I use it sparingly... 2-3x a week. Say hi! Share your thoughts."

• Ilo...
• 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."

• 30y...
• 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."

• Pau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2019

For Insomnia "Been taking this for about 10 months now, primarily for sleeping issues. But it's also been good for my hay fever as it has antihistamine actions. I take 25mg at night and can feel it kick in about 45 minutes after ingestion. I feel a bit drowsy and my limbs get a bit heavier. Then I get in bed and fall asleep easily. The only issue I have is if I try to stop this drug, I just don't sleep at all. Maybe I'm dependent on it, but that's okay as long as it works. It's better than looking at the ceiling all night."

• Hug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2018

For Interstitial Cystitis "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."

• uni...
• October 18, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking amitriptyline this year (2013) after having a medicine cabinet looking like a pharmaceutical company. I must say this is the only one that helps me. I have severe anxiety and panic attacks along with constant worry and stress that had me on rock bottom. I take 25mg, which is fine. It does make you sleepy, but it's so worth it. I'm 27, no kids, just coping with life."

• Fea...
• September 8, 2013

For Pain "I can't believe that after 3 years of severe widespread neuropathic pain of unknown origin, I am sleeping 8-10 hours and have had total pain reduction from about an 8 at worst to now a 1.5. I've only been on 10 mg at night for 3 days. I hope it's not coincidence or placebo effect. A bit drowsy and had a dizzy spell today. But completely worth it. I'm falling asleep faster now. My mood seems to be more calm as well. I hope to get off of oxycodone now."

• UGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I was skeptical about using Amitriptyline after I read about it online, but I later found out I didn’t really read about it properly after my doctor prescribed it for treating my tension headaches and anxiety. I must say the drug has been amazing even at low doses of 10mg or less, but it makes me feel so sleepy even after I wake up for work. If I let it take its course for a long sleep, I feel great, and my tension headaches are gone just after a week of taking it."

• UGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I was skeptical about using Amitriptyline after I read about it online, but I later found out I didn’t really read about it properly after my doctor prescribed it for treating my tension headaches and anxiety. I must say the drug has been amazing even at low doses of 10mg or less, but it makes me feel so sleepy even after I wake up for work. If I let it take its course for a long sleep, I feel great, and my tension headaches are gone just after a week of taking it."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2020

Amitriptyline for Insomnia "I've had insomnia in almost every way you can have it, so I've tried the whole raft of sedatives and hypnotics. Only three have worked: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxepin/Silenor, and this. Just the fact that it keeps me asleep is such a godsend that I can't give it a bad review, but ... Of the three drugs that work, this is the worst. It has more neurological side effects, it puts me in a lousy mood that lasts most of the next day (not terrible, but maybe 25% grumpier than usual), and it leads to weight gain even at the lowest dose (10mg). If my hormones are out of whack (high cortisol), amitriptyline doesn't make me groggy, but if they're in line it really does, leaving me wool-headed until the middle of the afternoon. It also has negative interactions with a bunch of other drugs, so be careful to check it against your other prescriptions/recreational drugs."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2016

For Pain "Started amitriptyline for fibromyalgia 5 weeks ago at 10mg. I started it on a Friday night after reading the reviews in case it made me groggy. The first two nights/mornings I slept significantly throughout the day. But by Monday morning I was fine and up by my usual 5:30 am school route to take my children to school. I felt a slight difference. No other side effects. My pain was still there but just slightly less. Doctor moved me to 20mg after 3 weeks. Again, grogginess but only the first day. But wow! I noticed my pain is about 75% gone after the 3rd day or so. I still get pain if I overwork myself. But I just need to moderate myself. Looking forward, hoping the next increase will be my miracle. Very happy!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

Amitriptyline for Interstitial Cystitis "Finally have relief of 3 years of relentless pain from interstitial cystitis. The grogginess and constipation are the only downsides. Made a remarkable difference to urgency and pain. Feel like a new woman. Thought I’d never have relief! Thank you."

• Me-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2016

For Pain "Having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and night terrors a few years ago, I was taking the maximum amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen daily which were providing very little relief from the chronic pain. After being prescribed 20mg amitriptyline to be taken nightly, my sleep has been amazing and pain levels are almost nil! I feel I have my life back now. I was concerned that I may be a little drowsy in the mornings as I have to drive to work early, but I felt fine and 100% 'with it'. The most amazing feeling ever is one of not having to adjust everything I have to do daily to fit around the pain, muscle spasms, etc. I also keep a 'pain level' diary which is a real help on looking back."

• Eli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2013

Amitriptyline for Pain "After 12 years of dealing with EVERY DAY a tugging and pulling feeling in my brain, causing me to be determined disabled. I have a new doctor who yesterday started me on 10 mg Elavil. I came to this website to read the comments to see if I dared believe that I could be feeling like I was finally given a miracle that might cure my diagnosed 'transformed migraine' condition! TODAY, for the FIRST time in 12 years, there is no debilitating tugging and pulling, although I feel sleepy and I do feel a slight steady 'pull'."