amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide

Pronunciation: AM i TRIP ti leen and KLOR dye AZ e POX ide

Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide

slide 1 of 4, Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide,

12.5 mg-5 mg, round, green, imprinted with MYLAN, 211

Image of Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide
slide 1 of 4

Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide

slide 2 of 4, Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide,

25 mg-10 mg, round, white, imprinted with 277, MYLAN

Image of Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide
slide 2 of 4

Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide

slide 3 of 4, Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide,

25 mg-10 mg, round, white, imprinted with 277, MYLAN

Image of Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide
slide 3 of 4

Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide

slide 4 of 4, Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide,

12.5 mg-5 mg, round, green, imprinted with MYLAN, 211

Image of Amitriptyline-Chlordiazepoxide
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What is the most important information I should know about amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

This medicine can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing.

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

You should not use this medicine if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine).

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?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amitriptyline or chlordiazepoxide, or:

  • 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.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide may harm an unborn baby. Avoid taking this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

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.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

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.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

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.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

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?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide can be fatal.

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?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

What are the possible side effects of amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have weak or shallow breathing, if you are hard to wake up, or if you stop breathing.

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • 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?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, prescription cough medicine, or medicine for depression or seizures.

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.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.