What is amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Amitriptyline is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Amitriptyline affects
chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.
Chlordiazepoxide is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines
(ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Chlordiazepoxide affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide is used to treat 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?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amitriptyline (Elavil) or
chlordiazepoxide (Librium), or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax),
clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).
Do not use this medication if you have recently had a heart attack.
Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide if you have taken an MAO inhibitor
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side
effects can occur if you take amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide before the MAO inhibitor has
cleared from your body.
Before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to
any drugs, or if you have:
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
heart disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia or
other mental illness;
-
a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior;
-
history of drug or alcohol addiction;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
glaucoma; or
-
problems with urination.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an
antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have
worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of
treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of
treatment.
Chlordiazepoxide can cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control
while you are using this medication.
Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide may pass into breast milk and could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Drowsiness caused by chlordiazepoxide may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls
are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or
accidental injury while you are taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a
doctor.
How should I take amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For
best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do
not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be
tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide suddenly, or you could have
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms
when stopping the medication.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for
. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another
person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Store amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Your pharmacist has information about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
Other serious side effects include:
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate, chest pain or heavy feeling,
pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the
body), headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
-
hallucinations, or seizures (convulsions), feeling
light-headed, fainting;
-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
-
feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
-
blurred vision, trouble concentrating;
-
dry mouth, unusual or unpleasant taste;
-
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
constipation;
-
weight changes;
-
strange dreams or nightmares;
-
breast or testicle swelling in men; or
-
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amitriptyline (Elavil) or
chlordiazepoxide (Librium), or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax),
clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).
Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide if you have taken an MAO inhibitor
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide if you are pregnant.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,
especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular
visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
Do not drink alcohol while taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide.
Chlordiazepoxide can increase the effects of alcohol.
What should I avoid while taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Do not drink alcohol while taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide. This
medication can increase the effects of alcohol.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by amitriptyline and
chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide can cause side effects that may impair your
thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and
alert.
What other drugs will affect amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?
Before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide,
tell your doctor if you have
used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks
, such as citalopram (Celexa),
escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil),
or sertraline (Zoloft).
Before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are currently
using cimetidine (Tagamet), guanethidine (Ismelin), or a heart rhythm medicine such as
flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rhythmol), or quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute). You may
not be able to use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide, or you may need dosage adjustments or
special tests during treatment.
There are many other medicines that can interact with amitriptyline and
chlordiazepoxide.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with
you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?