If you are taking other medications for your back pain, you may be at a higher risk for a drug interaction with amitriptyline.
These medications might include muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine and prescription pain medications, such as morphene, codeine, and tramdol.
There are a few medications that just do not mix with Elavil or amitriptyline at all. It is imperative that you not take them if you are also taking any drug with amitriptyline as the active ingredient. The medications to be concerned about include:
- Hismanal -- Hismanal (astemizole) was an antihistamine used for reducing symptoms of allergy. In the United States, it has been discontinued.
- Cisapride -- This very risky heartburn medicine has been taken off the market in the United States and other countries.
- Probucol -- Another discontinued in the United States, this medicine was used to lower cholesterol and blood fats.
- Seldane, or any medication with the active ingredient terfenadine. Terfenadine is also discontinued in the United States.
- Mellaril (thioridazine), a schizophrenia medication
- MAO Inhibitors used for depression (Parnate and Marplan), anxiety (Nardil) and Parkinson's disease (Eldepryl). Note: None of the MAO inhibitors should be taken with Elavil or amitriptyline.
- Other medications for mental disorders, such as lithium and the depression medication bupropion.
There are other possible drug interactions, as well. Some interactions increase the amount of amitriptyline in your blood, which can increase side effects. For example, several of the SSRI medications, such as Prozac (fluoxetine) can potentially elevate levels of amitriptyline.
Here is a partial list of medications that may interact with amitriptyline in this way:
- drugs taken for irregular heartbeat, as well as other heart medications
- disulfiram, a medication used to help people with alcoholism avoid from drinking
- atrophine, phenobarbital and similar drugs
- blood thinners, such as Warfarin
- bromocriptine
- cimetidine, a heartburn/ulcer medication, as well as metoclopramide
- high blood pressure clonidine, as well as labetalol
- delavirdine, as well as other drugs used to treat HIV infection
- diphenoxylate, a diarrhea medication
- the chemotherapy drugs imatinib and procarbazine
- Parkinson's medications, such as levodopa
- Alzheimer's medications, such as donepezil , galantamine and tacrine
- epilepsy and seizure medication
- some antibiotics
- thyroid hormones, such as levothyroxine
- SSRI medications
As you can see, the list of possible drug interactions with amitriptyline is pretty long. In addition, this is not a complete list. By being thorough and honest with your doctor about the other medications you take, you can assist her in determining if amitriptyline will be a safe and effective choice for managing your back pain.
Source:
Hochadel, M, PharmD, BCPS, Editor in Chief, Thomas, W, Greider, K. The AARP Guide to Pills. Gold Standard. Tampa Florida 2006
