Heart problem due to amitryptyline??

[JTB44]

I have been having unpleasant palpitations the last 5 months or so, finally decided to see the GP who ordered an ECG. Apparently the results of that show a delay of some kind that isn't normal, I didn't catch the details, and it was suggested that sometimes amitryptyline can cause heart issues. I have been on amitryptyline for chronic pain for a couple of years now, tho only 10mg a day. Does anyone have any experience of something like this? I couldn't guage how serious this is from the GP call, though she said she is referring me to cardio dept so presumably serious enough! I have been advised to reduce the amitryptyline in the meantime, which painwise could be a real bummer. I'd be very interested to know if anyone else has had to stop amitryptyline for this reason.

I take 10mg amitriptyline for chronic pain and have recently been having raised heartrate. GP only referred me to cardiologist very reluctantly and the cardiologist made no mention of amitryptiline having any effect on my heart or anything to do with my heartrate/palpitations.

I had an echocardiogram and 24hr ecg and diagnosed with sinus tachycardia and now on beta blockers. The cardiologist didn't once mention that this could be caused by the amittryptiline and he is a very well-regarded senior consultant. I actually think mine is caused by stress/anxiety.

I can’t remember which drug it was as I tried a couple but i think it was amitriptyline that gave me heart palpitations. I was on 60-70 a day from memory as I had to reduce the dose gradually to come off it. It started with just odd racing heart rate when exercising and sometimes I’d feel light headed if I was jumping around and then one morning I woke up with a stupidly high resting heart rate and blood pressure through the roof, I’ve never got a Drs appointment so fast as when I rang them!!

Ah well, thanks for replies. I'd rather it was the amitryptyline since otherwise it means there is a problem

Amitryptyline is well known to cause ECG changes in overdose. On a normal/low dose it may/may not be that whatever change your GP’s seen is related to the amitriptyline but they’re doing the right thing by asking the questions. Hope it all turns out well.

Yes, you can develop heart problems from amitriptyline, I did. It's Long QT Syndrome which can be genetic or you can have a genetic predisposition and drugs or a combination of drugs triggers it. There's a list of drugs to avoid if you develop this if you go on the NHS website. The good news is, once you stop the drugs and avoid any of the 50 odd drugs mentioned on the website it does usually resolve itself. You just have to be aware of it so as not to trigger it again.

PS I was on 50mg of amitriptyline and I was changed to gabapentin once my heart was under control.

I was prescribed amitriptyline on a low dose for chronic pain. I was on it for 2 weeks when I started getting horrific palpitations and ended up in hospital . In hospital they found it effected my heart rhythm really badly so I had to stop it. Never ever again will I go on that medication

Blimey @talkingdeadscot and @CharlotteRose90, I think I'll be coming off the amitryptyline pretty smartish now I know that! (No doubt that that will pleasant, I always suffer withdrawal when I come off stuff )

I'm now concerned why my cardiologist didn't mention this at all? I might try coming off it and see what happens.

@AutumnBrooke

I'm now concerned why my cardiologist didn't mention this at all? I might try coming off it and see what happens.

No one mentioned it to me either but it's right there on the NHS website. Also, they belong to a class of medicines that affect your neuro-transmitters ergo they can affect your heart.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/amitriptyline-for-pain/

This is useful as it links to further information about the drugs to avoid if Long QT Syndrome is triggered.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/long-qt-syndrome/

If you're at all interested then there's a whole section in the book 'Invisible Women' about how the interaction of drugs can lead to Long QT Syndrome and why it isn't checked before continually prescribing.

I'm a bit evangelical about it (as you might have noticed) because it's a serious issue and more awareness is needed.

@JTB44 what was the outcome x

I had to come off Amitriptiline after increasing it from 10mg to 20mg started giving me really bad palpitations. I did ask about going back into 10mg but my Dr said it wasn't worth the risk

@MayISuggestSomeThickCutSteakChipsToGoWithThat oo really? WhT else did you use instead? Ive upped it to 10mg from 5mg and now im like this again. Not sure if its due to covid or what x