Amitriptyline And Chlordiazepoxide: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Amitriptyline And Chlordiazepoxide

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amitriptyline (Elavil) or chlordiazepoxide (Librium), or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

Do not use this medication if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney or liver disease;
• heart disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior;
• history of drug or alcohol addiction;
• a thyroid disorder;
• glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Chlordiazepoxide can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Drowsiness caused by chlordiazepoxide may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide.

Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Last updated:	August 30, 2007