Introduction

Name

• Amitryptiline.

Class of drug

• Tricyclic antidepressant.

Description

Physical properties

• Soluble in water and alcohol.
• Bitter taste.

Uses

Indications

• Management of pruritus and psychogenic dermatoses where anxiety is a component.
• Controlling urine marking in cats.
• Management of feline lower urinary tract disorders.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

Anesthetics and anti-dysrhythmics

• Increased risk of dysrhythmias.

Anti-epileptics

• Antagonizes the effects of anti-epileptics.
• Cimetidine → reduces metabolism of amitriptyline → increased concentration of amitriptyline.

Sedatives

• Increases sedative effect if used with other sedative drugs.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Scott D W & Miller W H Jr. (1993) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the management of canine allergic pruritus. J S Afr Vet Assoc 64 (1), 52-56 PubMed.
• Miller W H Jr., Scott D W & Wellington J R (1992) Nonsteroidal management of canine pruritus with amitriptyline. Cornell Vet 82 (1), 53-57 PubMed.
• Friehe H & Fontaine R (1978) Toxicology of amitriptylinoxide. Arzneimittelforschung 28 (10b), 1898-1907 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Based on Small Animal Formulary. Tennant B (1999) 3rd edn. BSAVA, UK.
• Plumb D Veterinary Drug handbook. 3rd edn. pp 34-36.