Amitriptyline / Chlordiazepoxide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 9, 2024.

Applies to amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using this medicine during the later pregnancy may cause problems in your newborn baby (eg, sedation or withdrawal symptoms). Tell your doctor right away if your baby has an abnormal sleep pattern, diarrhea, feeding problems, a high-pitched cry, irritability, low muscle tone, restlessness, shakiness or tremors, sluggishness, trouble breathing, weight loss, vomiting, or fails to gain weight. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not take chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline combination with or within 14 days of taking a drug with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], procarbazine [Matulane®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not take an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of taking chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline combination. If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure or seizures. .

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

Do not change your dose or Stop taking amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a possible worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms including headache, nausea, a general feeling of discomfort or illness, seizures, stomach or muscle cramps, tremors, or unusual behavior.

Symptoms of an overdose include: blurred vision, confusion, difficulty sleeping, disorientation, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, headache, loss of consciousness, mood or other mental changes, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, nightmares, seizures, sweating, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping, unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness, or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability. Call your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, barbiturates, medicine for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you Stop taking amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause some people, especially elderly patients, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to think or see well.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Before having any kind of surgery, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. Taking amitriptyline together with medicines used during surgery may increase the risk of side effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Other side effects

Some side effects of amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide:

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• confusion
• disorientation
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• hallucinations
• headache
• loss of consciousness
• loss of strength or energy
• mood or other mental changes
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• slurred speech
• trouble breathing
• trouble sleeping
• trouble speaking
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability

For healthcare professionals

Applies to amitriptyline / chlordiazepoxide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects included drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Apprehension, confusion, delusions, drug habituation/dependence, dysphoria, euphoria, hallucinations, hypomania, impotence, increased/decreased libido, insomnia, poor concentration, restlessness, vivid dreams, withdrawal symptoms^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Ataxia, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, EEG pattern changes, extrapyramidal symptoms, extremity numbness/tingling/paresthesia, headache, incoordination, peculiar taste, stroke, syncope, tremor^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, black tongue, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, epigastric distress, nausea, paralytic ileus, parotid swelling, stomatitis, tongue edema, vomiting^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, face edema, increased perspiration, photosensitization, pruritus, purpura, skin rash, sweating, urticaria^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmias, heart block, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, palpitations, tachycardia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Breast enlargement, galactorrhea, minor menstrual abnormalities, testicular swelling, urinary frequency, urinary retention, urinary tract dilation^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, blood sugar level elevation/lowering, weight gain/loss^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fatigue, lethargy, malaise, weakness^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Accommodation disturbance, blurred vision, mydriasis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatic dysfunction, jaundice^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Gynecomastia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle cramps^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Nasal congestion^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Amitriptyline/chlordiazepoxide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer