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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Question about amitriptyline
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Question about amitriptyline
by sarah, Apr 03, 2000 12:00AM
I have a couple of questions relating to this medication. My story may be some what confusing and lenghty I apoligise for that. But I need to stat from the begining. I have been batteling a mild case of depression for about 6 years. It's nothing serious, and is something that I can keep in check with adequate stress monitoring and exercise. I was on Amitriptyline (a low dose) for about 6-8 months when I was first diagnoised and it did the trick, and I haven't needed the medication since that time. But about a year ago I had a seroius stress crash do to the death of my father. Six months ago do to all the stress and changes from the aftermath of the death I decided to go back on the anti depressent to help to get myself back on track and it's doing the job(once again it is only a low dosage). But here's the problem. I have decided to join the national gaurd, and they are as you may know extremely picky on their entrance physical and would most likely reject me if they find out about the anti depressent. I have spoken with my doctor and she is comfortable with my decision to quit the drug. My main concern is will amitriptyline show on their drug tests, and if so how long will I have to wait until the drug is out of my system so my drug test for the guard will come back clean. My doctor did not know and that is why I am consulting you. If you can give me the answers I would greatly appreciate it.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Apr 06, 2000 12:00AM
Your decision to discontinue Amitriptyline should be based on whether you need the antidepressant to help with remission of your depression. If you and your doctor no longer feel the antidepressant is needed for treatment of your depression, it should be tapered and then discontinued. The drug and its metabolite should be out of your system within two weeks.
