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Original poster

Amitriptyline for sleep

6 replies

Lizzy1980 · 29/08/2018 05:27

Hi there
Was just wondering if anyone has any experience of taking Amitriptyline. I've been prescribed it for pain and sleep. I know it can take a few weeks to work for pain but I would like to hear from anyone who takes it to help them sleep.
How long does it take to work? I've looked online and some people say to take it a few hours before bed, others advise you to take it just before you go to bed. The information leaflet says to take it at night but doesn't say how long it takes to work.
Would really appreciate any advice

OP posts:
Notveryhelpful · 29/08/2018 05:40

In my experience it doesn’t help me get to sleep, but it does help me to stay asleep. I do feel groggy the next day and I definitely can’t take it more than two days in a row, because when I tried that I started to feel dizzy by day three.

CeeCeeMacFay · 04/09/2018 22:23

I have been recently prescribed this, 10mg at night. It takes about half an hour to work. For me, it doesn't work as well as zopiclone but does relax me and help me stay asleep.

FinallyMrsE · 04/09/2018 22:28

I used to take 40mg each night at 7pm and then go to bed at 10pm and it didn't help me fall to sleep but it meant I could stay asleep all night, or if I woke up for the bathroom I could fall straight back to sleep.

I only stopped taking it as I forgot to order a repeat, I was on it for approx 3 years and it helped with sleep which in turn stopped migraines as I'm pretty sure the insomnia caused them.

ImogenTubbs · 04/09/2018 22:33

My husband takes it to help with neuropathic pain. He takes it a couple of hours before bed. He says it lasts for 12 hours so if he takes it too late he finds it really hard to wake up in the mornings. I'm not sure the dosage, I can check.

Thishatisnotmine · 04/09/2018 22:44

I had 10mg in my first pregnancy for migraines. Knocks me out and hugely groggy the next day. Second pregnancy I took half a tablet and it did the same! I think how fast it works depends on the person so you might need to trial what time at night works best for you. Start close to your bedtime and work your way back.

Original poster
Lizzy1980 · 04/09/2018 23:55

Many thanks for all your advice. After taking it for a few nights I'm not feeling too groggy in the morning, certainly less than when I've taken Zopiclone.
No help with pain as yet but so far has been good at helping me stay asleep once I've nodded off Smile

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