Amitriptyline and Dry Mouth: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Blu...
• September 3, 2018

For Pain "I have trigeminal neuralgia. I started taking this in February. It works wonders for sleep! I work the overnight shift, so sleeping during the day can be a challenge. This drug takes away the burning in my face. There’s still pain, but the fire is gone. I sleep great, however, I’ve gained about 25 pounds. I’ve never been this big in my life. I crave ice cream and donuts. Severe cravings that I cannot get myself out of. It’s like I just don’t care. Severe dry mouth and decreased sex drive. I still want sex, just not as much. But the main thing is the weight gain. My doc doesn’t think it’s this pill causing it, but I know it is. I’ve always been a big girl, so I can’t afford any more weight gain. If you can handle some weight gain, then this pill is good for you. Unfortunately, it’s screwing up my health. I’m going to miss sleeping."

• Mon...
• May 10, 2016

For Insomnia "I was given 10 mg a night of amitriptyline for insomnia. I slept all night but was very dopey the next day, so now I take half (5 mg). I'm still a bit slow in the morning but am sleeping well. I just have a dry mouth the next morning. Not much of a price to pay."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2017

For Insomnia "I suffer from major depression, anxiety, and insomnia. I was on trazodone 100 mg, which I cut back to 50 mg because it's very sedating. I switched from trazodone 50 mg to amitriptyline 10 mg to start 2 days ago. It is not as strong as the trazodone but does the same job, although I may need a higher dose eventually. I don't wake up as groggy as with other meds and sleep well. So far, so good, not many side effects, but some dry mouth. But I am also switching from Cipralex to Effexor, so it's hard to tell which side effect is coming from which med. But I do think this med is helping for sleep and anxiety. By the way, I was addicted to benzodiazepines for years, so this is a good substitute for addictive meds."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2019

For Pain "I have a love/hate relationship with this drug. I started taking it 2 months ago for neuropathy from MS in both my legs. I’ve had some pain for over 5 years, but it turned on high 2 years ago. I tried all the drugs my neurologist had me try, but nothing would work. So I started researching and found this drug. The good: pain free at 150 mg at night. The bad news: horrible side effects at this dose. Extreme dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, balance issues, and my brain is acting like I have dementia, i.e., asking the same question multiple times. Aphasia and sense of taste made everything taste metallic. So I’m in limbo until I find another drug to try."

• Jig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "After one of the worst years of my life, I developed anxiety, was prescribed Endep 25 mg, progressed to 50 mg, then 100 mg. Side effects were full on and included, but were not limited to dizziness, short-term memory loss, blackouts (momentary but scary), nightmares, indigestion, incredible tiredness (cloudy head, fuzziness), dry mouth, and one of the deepest, most horrible depressive states I have ever been in, which included suicidal thoughts, but hey, I didn't have anxiety! THIS IS A WARNING: if you develop suicidal thoughts while taking this drug, see a doctor immediately!"

• sym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "When I first started amitriptyline 10 mg, the only side effects I noticed were a bit of fatigue and dry mouth. I did not see an improvement in my migraines, but an improvement is not expected early on. Once I went to 20 mg, I had an extreme mood shift where I became quite depressed and apathetic, and I felt quite awful for 3 days or so. After that, the side effects wore off, and it didn't feel like I was taking any medication at all. I have now been taking amitriptyline for two months at a current dosage of 25 mg per day. While the side effects have subsided, I have not seen any improvement in my migraine frequency (20+ days/month) or severity. My doctor and I are planning to switch to topiramate in the coming weeks."

• Anonymous
• September 12, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started this medication again since my panic attacks and anxiety have gotten so worse! This medication is a lifesaver! I had 0 side effects, just a dry mouth in the morning, but that’s it - I highly recommend you take amitriptyline. I’ve tried other medications like Lexapro, and it made me really sick and suicidal. Never again will I go back to those other antidepressants."

• Tha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2020

For Depression "I take 25 mg Elavil to augment my Luvox and aid in sleep. I have very severe depression and sleep issues, and this dosage works really well for me. It’s not strong enough to put me to sleep, but it helps me wind down. As an added bonus, it helps keep away my migraines and nerve pain. I’ve been on this medication for 2 years. My main side effects are weight gain (went from 115-135 lbs in a year), nighttime eating, and an occasional dry mouth. Be warned. This medication makes you very hungry!"

• abd...
• November 11, 2021

For Depression "I'm taking this medication for 1.5 months, no side effects except dry mouth sometimes. Literally, it's a great med, it gave me the hope again to get in full remission. My power increased, obviously, my mood is much better. It literally saved my life, just give it enough time."

• Sop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was having migraine headaches anywhere from one to four times a week. I have been taking 10 mg, and I am down to one a month. This has been a lifesaver. The side effects are manageable for me. I've had dry mouth, constipation, and the first month I had difficulty waking up in the morning."

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I was taking amitriptyline for my migraine/facial nerve pain, suspected trigeminal neuralgia (TN). I am a 40-year-old woman. Happy, single, enjoying life, and then I take this medication. I had severe side effects. This made me depressed, I didn't want to leave the house, dry mouth... wanted to sleep and eat all the time. I'm giving this a 2 rating only because I slept so well. I told my doctor no more anti-depressants to treat my TN... This was the only prescription medication I was taking."

• qca...
• April 26, 2015

For Pain "Dr. started me on Endep 2 months ago for chronic pain in the long bones caused by side effects from chronic myeloid leukemia medication. It's the first time in nine years that I have felt 'almost' normal! It makes me tired, so I take it at night. The only drawback is dry mouth and loss of taste. The taste thing is driving me up the wall, and I don't know that I can live with it. So now I have to weigh up the pros and cons of living without tasting my food or living without pain."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2018

For Insomnia "I was put on this after having postpartum depression and not sleeping because of it after I had my son. My doctor knew I needed to sleep badly! He started me off on 100 mg a day in the morning and at night. It has dry mouth side effects and a bit dizzy, but not bad, and after 2 weeks, I was feeling way better. I could cope with having a new baby and sleep at night!! The side effects go away after about 3 months, and you just feel normal. He had me lower the dose to 50 mg just at night, and it helps very, very much for sleep. I have been on this for 25 years, and I lowered my dose clear down to 10 mg a night. There are times I go up to 25 mg or 50 mg, but I always come down when the crisis of something is over. If you're looking for a good pill, it's this one. It's been around forever and it works for pain as well, like with migraines. And yes, you do gain weight, but I'd rather sleep at night and try to control my appetite! It's a good pill, I think. Out of all of them, this one works good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on this drug for more than 30 years. I feel that it helps with my depression, but there are many side effects that I do NOT like. My mouth is always dry, and my tongue is always moving. Many family pictures have my tongue sticking out."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2008

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "I'm a 16-year-old girl. I have been on tons of medicines for migraine prevention, and nothing seemed to help. One day, I ended up in the E.R. and missed much school. When I started on Elavil at 10 mg, it seemed to not do much, but when my dose was increased to 30 mg, I tend to have less frequent (2-3) migraines a week. My migraines are less intense, and I'm able to do my studies. The dry mouth is much less when I chew gum, but I tend to be tired all the time. This medication has worked the best for me, although not perfect."

• Jac...
• March 24, 2018

For Interstitial Cystitis "I had interstitial cystitis 28 years ago and refused to see a doctor about it for a long time. Finally, and in agony, I saw a urologist, and he immediately put me on amitriptyline. It worked! Eventually, I was able to stop taking it and reintroduce high-acid foods like citrus and coffee. I thought that was the end of it, but it returned this year. I went to a urologist immediately, told him about my past, and he put me on 25 mg of amitriptyline. It eradicated my symptoms in ONE night. Yes, it does make getting up in the mornings really hard -- but I read other comments today, and people said that taking it at 5 pm helped. Yes, dry mouth is an issue, but I always have a bottle of water nearby. I hope to eventually just take 12.5 mg daily, but don't think I ever want to stop taking this medicine."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2011

For Pain "I am prescribed amitriptyline due to side effects from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. I have been taking it for approximately 18 months, and the only negative side effect I ever had was seriously dry mouth. As I have continued to take it, the side effect has gone away."

• Lik...
• June 20, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I started with 2 days of bad indigestion, then nausea and frequent small movements all day: soft but tiny amounts. After a few days, I took amitriptyline, and the next day I was completely fine and had no motion all day. Downside: had a very dry mouth. Doctor said to try going back on voiceless, which I had taken some time before and was okay for 5 days, but then irritable bowel syndrome came back. So I will try amitriptyline again."

• Doc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2024

For Insomnia "I have been using amitriptyline for insomnia, jet lag, and anxiety, and it's a very good medicine for me. It's suitable for my body. My dosage is 75mg every night, 3 hours before bedtime. The most common side effects of amitriptyline are dry mouth. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may experience migraines and restlessness."

• Chr...
• March 22, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was a 21-year-old totally healthy male without any health problems. One morning, I woke up with a horrible headache, and it only continued to get worse. I experienced headaches 24 hours a day for months. I had every test known, and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I have taken 75 mg of amitriptyline for close to 4 years now. The drug has worked wonders on me, and as long as I take my medication every night, I never experience a headache unless under extreme stress. Wonder drug, mild side effects. The first few years, dry mouth was really intense. It is harder for me to fall asleep now, I have to take 5-10 mg of melatonin as well. Hoping to wean off the medication shortly, though, as I don't want my whole life to be controlled through a pill bottle."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2011

For Vulvodynia "I have been taking 10 mg for about a month, and it had almost completely eliminated the pain. Within 2 days of my first dose, I had relief. At 10 mg, the only side effects I've had were dry mouth and mild sleepiness, but only at night and in the early morning. I imagine if I were on a higher dose, I might have more side effects. I occasionally will get a twinge of pain here and there, but mostly I've been pain-free."

• sin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2016

For Insomnia "I was prescribed this at a low dose for various sleep problems associated with CFS/ME. Helps tremendously with remaining asleep (used to wake up 4-8 times a night), but basically completely useless aiding someone who has trouble getting to sleep - one of my main problems. Horrific and vivid nightmares frequently occurring since I've been taking it & very dry mouth. Staying on it as GP is very reluctant to give me anything stronger for my sleep, unfortunately."

• Cli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "I started taking 10 mg amitriptyline at night in September 2021 for peripheral neuropathy. I've just weaned myself off them a week ago, January 2022. I was having terrible night sweats and palpitations, dizziness, bunged-up nose, dry mouth. The pain is back, but I no longer feel like I'm going to drop dead."

• Bru...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2021

For Insomnia "I get 7-8 hours of decent sleep most nights with 10-25 mg. On the rare days I forget it, I know right away as I’m slow to drop off and wake after a few hours with restless sleep. The next night I will take it and be fine again. I’ve been on it for 20 years, sometimes at 10 mg and sometimes 25 mg, it’s been a lifesaver. Insomnia is soul-destroying. I do get a bit of a dry mouth in the morning and can be a bit groggy when I first wake, but it’s minor and worth it for me."

• Sta...
• June 26, 2008

Amitriptyline for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Elavil for several weeks now, and the only side effect I have had is the dry mouth. I would rather deal with that than the migraines, which I must say have been dormant for weeks now, and I am so happy."