Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a type of prescription medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline hydrochloride overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a prescription medication. Brands include:

• Adepril
• Amitid
• Amitril
• Elavil
• Emitrip
• Endep
• Enovil
• Trepiline
• Tryptanol
• Vanatrip

• Airways and lungs
  • Slowed, labored breathing
• Bladder and kidneys
  • Urinary hesitancy
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Enlarged pupils
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shock
• Nervous system
  • Agitation
  • Coma (sudden onset)
  • Convulsions (sudden onset)
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Hallucinations
  • Headache
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Stupor (lack of alertness)
  • Uncoordinated movement
• Stomach and intestines
  • Constipation
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Vomiting

This can be a very serious overdose. Seek immediate medical help.

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Antidote (sodium bicarbonate)
• Breathing help, possibly artificial respiration
• Fluids
• Laxative
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Amitriptyline hydrochloride can be an extremely serious overdose.

Patients who swallow an excessive amount of this drug are almost always admitted to hospital.

How well a patient does depends on how much of the drug was swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance of recovery.

Elavil overdose; Adepril overdose; Endep overdose; Enovil overdose; Trepiline overdose

Woolf AD, Erdman AR, Nelson LS, et al. American Association of Poison Control Centers. Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol. 2007;45(3):203-233.

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/20/2008).