Effects Of Long Term Amitriptyline Use On The Heart
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After 20 years of taking amitriptyline for headaches I would like to find people who have had any heart related side effects after long term amitriptyline use.

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Yes Veraj, I have, with very bad outcomes.

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Yes I have.ive been taking them in the form of 150mg at night for years.about a month ago I had a heart attack and was admitted to hospital,where they also discovered I had heart failure.im 61 and also have arthritis and fribromyalg.whilst in hospital i was given medication for heart failure and given a meds review,that's when the medical staff became quite and it was obvious that they weren't willing or able to be open with me about the amitriptline.i have my discharge paperwork that clearly states my heart failure is down to this drug.ive had to do my own research on this and at every appointment whether it be with gp or hospital,I bring up the dangers of amitriptline and I get back phrases like it would be good for you to bring this up with your gp or,it won't do any harm to raise this matter,or doctors who when I ask about the heart failure being linked to this drug,they just shift from foot to foot and clearly want to shut this discussion down. My heart is now only working at 15% injection and I've been given 1-5years to live.my advice to anyone would be to stay well clear of this drug,for anything you take it for.how can it be legally correct to give one drug that claims to help/cure so many different illnesses.its just being used as the go to drug if all else fails. Its no different from the 1960s felidemide(or however you spell it)drug that was given to women in early pregnancy to stop morning sickness,until enough people reported major defects with it.Its the same for amitriptline,until enough people die from heart failure and the medical professionals start to link it,and feel it's safe to talk about,nothing will change.

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Re: mitzi (# 103)

I apologize. I somehow missed the notification about your post. I'm so sorry you've struggled with many health problems. Be assured that 10 mg is a very small dose. Some people are prescribed as much as 150 mg. I'm not sure I understand your post. If you're saying that one of your health issues before starting this drug was trouble completely emptying your bladder, then this medication seems contradictory. My internet research shows that amitriptyline is commonly prescribed for incontinence related disorders; in other words, to help the patient retain urine until they're ready to urinate. I wish you the best. Sincerely.

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Yes. I took amitriptyline for nearly twenty years, 200mg for sleep until tapering off starting two and a half years ago. Went totally off one year ago and am still going through unimaginable misery and suffering which is so complex a description would take pages. Yes I have a heart murmur and abnormal ECG which is directly caused by amitriptyline use. This is not conjecture. But your biggest concern is the sickness you will endure when you become tolerant and withdraw from this toxic drug. Have been housebound, had seizures and fatality is not out of the picture for this drug. Contact your doctor if you need more information. I am sorry that you were prescribed this chemical.

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Re: wend (# 6)

I just started this meds. 3 nights ago.Have had two neck surgeries last with plate and screws put in spine.I get migraines when my neck starts muscle spasm.I went to Rheumatologist and she put me on amitriptyline 10 mg at night now that I am reading all of these things I'm not sure that I should take it I'm having problems urinating and in the past of head problems with my bladder with muscle spasms and able to empty the bladder already on medicines for systemic lupus one that can cause weight gain I saw that this can also cause weight gain I'm from America so I'm not sure what Stones means and weight gain but I do not want to go there again as I did when taking steroids just wanting to know your opinion

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I have taken amytriptlene for about 20 years for my fibromialgia and I did not know there were any heart related problems with taking it.

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Re: SouthernGuest (# 99)

Congrats to you for having weaned off! I am having that bladder urgency also after weaning in January. I am panhypopituitary following to surgeries for Cushing's tumor. So with me the question is "is it Amitriptyline or diabetes insipidus returning.

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Re: Debra (# 2)

I have also been on it since 2003 for sleep. This January, 2018 I determined to wean off and did so by breaking in half my 75 mg pill for 2 weeks, then 1/4 pill for another 3 weeks. I hope you can too.

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Re: Boogie (# 40)


This thread is several years old, but my recent experience with Amitriptyline is the same. Boogie is correct. It's not an age issue, or anyone's imagination. I have read extensively about this drug, and I have had terrible withdrawal symptoms, including severe bladder urgency (I had never experienced before). It feels very similar to a bladder infection. From online research, I have found that bladder, stomach and GI spasms are a common experience during withdrawal. This drug works to relax smooth muscles, which is why it is often prescribed for bladder and GI issues. When you withdrawal from the drug, those same muscles can begin not only working again, but having unnaturally strong, or too frequent spams causing urgency, cramps, and stomach and back pain.

I was prescribed 25-50 mg. of Amitriptyline for nerve pain in my back just 5 months ago. The Amitriptyline almost controls the nerve pain, unless I do a lot of work. Concerned with the possible long term damage to my teeth, and digestive system due to the side effects I've experienced: severe constipation, serious dry mouth, serious stomach pain, I've been trying to stop taking Amitriptyline. I've also gained 10 pounds in this short time after being the same weight for over 20 years. Weight gain is listed as the number one reason people want off this drug.

I reduced the prescribed med, supplementing with naproxen (Aleve), to half a 25 mg tablet, then 1/4 of a 25 mg tablet over a 1 1/2 month period. Then I stopped completely for three nights. I used store brand Benedryl to help me sleep; sleeping better is one side effect of Amitriptyline that I'll miss. For three days I felt so much better overall except for dealing with my nerve pain. My healthy bowel function returned, I had more alertness and energy, my mood was much lighter. Then on the fourth day without Amitriptyline, I woke up crying and moaning in pain with severe cramping of my colon, causing severe stomach and back pain. Also, the feeling of a bladder infection with the severe, constant urgency even after I'd just urinated. The only reason I did not go to the E.R. is because I had already read of many people experiencing the same withdrawal symptoms. After a few days of this I went back on half a 25 mg. tablet and the pain and urgency stopped completely within two days. Still I went to the doctor for an exam just to make sure I didn't have a urinary tract infection, or something worse. The U/A was clear, and the exam didn't uncover anything unusual. Since being back on Amitriptyline, none of the above withdrawal symptoms have returned.

Many people have successfully withdrawn from Amitriptyline without too many bad effects, but many people will experience negative health issues that are worse than the problem we were prescribed medicine for in the first place. You can find their stories all over the internet. Most people say the withdrawal symptoms eventually disappear after a very slow, many months long, very gradual withdrawal. Unfortunately, I've seen several, like "Boogie" whose withdrawal effects have never completely healed. I'm determined to get off these things. Good luck to everyone.

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I have been taking amtryptlene for 25 years now and I feel permanently shattered all the time my gums have started to recede and the enamel on my two front teeth has started to crack is this because of the of the amytryptlene. I have suffered from fibromialgia for about 30 years .

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Re: CC (# 20)

Wow, I'm amazed to read these posts sand grateful and so angry at the medical system! I was on 100 mg Amitriptyline for 30 yrs. Last fall I decreased to 50 and then in summer titration to 0mg. Im in the care of a chiropractor who also practices Chinese medicine and energy healing. My head aches ceased a week ago. My anxiety is high when around people with high anxiety. My sleep cyc les are poor but improving. Im mortified at the fact that no one Informed me off the problems with going off this medication. I am done with pharmaceuticals! Only using natural and homeopathic remedies.

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Re: Debra (# 2)

I have been on 100mg Elavil for 37 yrs. I have been off for 9 weeks. Wouldn't wish this withdrawal on anyone. I was diagnoses with TD. TARTIVE Dysconesa caused by Elavil. Went to 25mg asap then cold turkey. Miserable. Using Melatonin I might get 3 1/2 hrs sleep a night for 9 weeks. My faith in Drs is now low. Don't know. Have Dr appt today.

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CC and many others here need to consider how old they were when they began the treatment. CC was 39 years old and may be attributing the symptoms of being a 69 year old (and other life choices) to the drug. And anything you do for extended periods of time (5, 10, 30 years) and then stop or even wean may cause side effects -- it doesn't indicate that the drug itself is addictive.

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I took it for 30 years for pain & sleeping 100mg. Had open heart surgery in 2013 and decided to stop. My doctor always told me it was not addictive. (Bull) I slowly whined myself off, it took a while but I did it and I am so glad I did. Just preserver !!!

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Okay. Hopefully you can get off amitriptyline successfully. I haven't been able to. It is addictive. Anecdotal reports and reports to the FDA for 50 years have noted it has the harshest long-term (up to 2 years) but they still prescribe it for sleep regardless. I can vouch for the withdrawal being so bad I could not speak, write or move and am having the severest pain and mental impairment of my 54 years. If you get off this drug reply. Doctors do not prescribe amitriptyline or ssri antidepressants n I have been on the merry go round for 27 years and want off. Nothing but near death experiences.

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Amitriptyline is a horrible drug. It has been impossible to get off of after 15 years at 200 mg at night for sleep. It causes the most painful and prolonged withdrawal of any medication. I started having neuropathic pain soon after taking amitriptyline and then daily migraines. I became tolerant to it after about six months. The insomnia returned and the withdrawal has been so severe, I am certain it can kill. This is no exaggeration. Strange feelings indescribable horrible pain make amitriptyline enemy number one. If Im on it im sick. If you miss a dose you will get sick after about 27 hours. And if amitriptyline is lost or stolen then you will in trouble. It has happened to me. I could not speak, spell words, move my body to get to the pharmacy. The local pharmacy had no knowledge of my condition and barely refilled it. They could barely understand my speech. Now they will not fill my prescription for amitriptyline because of what they saw. I tried tapering and it has not worked. The doctors have been absolutely useless. I am sick now. Never take amitriptyline or any antidepressant. You will not regret not taking these drugs. Hopefully, you can get off amitriptyline successfully. I have to since they refuse to refill.Never have I been so sick and debilitated. Please never prescribe or take this medication. It should be banned. I reported it to the FDA also and got no response. Good luck. I am 54 and male.

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I have just stun led across this forum and would like to say that I have been on anatryptaline for 2 years now. I started with 10mg at bedtime and went up to 20MG in the first and 2nd year. (For headaches) I reduced my dose back to 10mg 3 months ago and then reduced that dose to everyother night, then to only 3 nights a week I only take 10mg once or twice a week now,sometimes forgetting all week. I have had no side effects or problems other than a bit tetchy at times. I am a 49 yr old female.

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Slowly VERY slowly. I was on for 27 yrs and came off slowly over a 2-3 year period. No withdrawal effects.

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I had Cushing's disease which started in 1994, I could not sleep. Cushing's is caused by a adenoma on the pituitary or adrenal gland, causing overproduction of cortisol. It is now 2017 and I am still on it at 75mg nightly. cushing's was cured through surgery in 2003. I pray I can wean off this and am trying this week. I wonder if amytriptelene causes weight gain?

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I had Cushing's disease which started in 1994, I could not sleep. Cushing's is caused by a adenoma on the pituitary or adrenal gland, causing overproduction of cortisol. It is now 2017 and I am still on it at 75mg nightly. cushing's was cured through surgery in 2003. I pray I can wean off this and am trying this week. I wonder amytriptelene causes weight gain?

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