The Amitriptyline reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Amitriptyline

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Amitriptyline is an antidepressant drug from the tricyclic antidepressant group, which is sold under the trade names Elavil® or Endep®.

Structure of amitriptyline
Chemical structure of the tricyclic
antidepressent amitriptyline

Its full chemical name is 3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cycloheptene-5-ylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1-propanamine hydrochloride and its empirical formula is is C20H23N·HCl. It is a white, odorless, crystalline compound which is freely soluble in water. It is usually dispensed in tablet form.

It is largely used to treat clinical depression, although SSRI drugs may be prescribed in preference as they are considered to have less side effects in some instances. Occasionally, amitriptyline may be presribed for other conditions such chronic pain or fibromyalgia.

See also