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Article: Amitriptyline
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Amitriptyline
Definition
Amitriptyline is a medication used to treat various forms of depression, pain associated with the nerves (neuropathic pain), and to prevent migraine headaches. It is sold in the United States under the brand names Elavil and Endep.
Purpose
Amitriptyline helps relieve depression and pain. This medication, usually given at bedtime, also helps patients sleep better.
Description
This medication is one of several tricyclic antidepressants, so-called because of the three-ring chemical structure common to these drugs. Amitriptyline acts to block reabsorption of
neurotransmitters
(chemicals that transmit nerve messages in the
brain
). Amitriptyline and the other ...