amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide

What is the most important information I should know about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

MISUSE OF AMITRIPTYLINE AND CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What is amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen).

Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide is a combination medicine used to treat moderate to severe depression and anxiety.

Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

• if you recently had a heart attack;
• if you are allergic to any antidepressant like amitriptyline (clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine); or
• if you are allergic to Valium or other medicines like chlordiazepoxide (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, triazolam, Xanax, Ativan, Tranxene, and others).

Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression);
• suicidal thoughts or actions;
• drug or alcohol addiction;
• heart disease;
• a heart attack, stroke, or seizures;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• problems with urination;
• glaucoma; or
• if you are receiving electroshock treatment.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

If you use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks.

How should I take amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

Do not stop using amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, drowsiness, hallucinations, irregular heart rhythm, muscle stiffness, vomiting, dilated pupils, feeling hot or cold, feeling like you might pass out, seizure, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

What are the possible side effects of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

• severe constipation;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
• little or no urination.

The sedative effects of this medicine may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• blurred vision;
• dry mouth; or
• constipation, bloating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other antidepressants;
• heart or blood pressure medication; or
• medicine to treat mental illness.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.02. Revision date: 1/5/2021.