Amitriptyline

[foxglove]

I am trying to reduce dose of Amy. (25mg) by weaning myself off slowly I am splitting tablet into half and quarter pieces, so I can take 3/4 dose then half, then 1/4does any one know if this is ok to do? Does splitting alter composition of tablet?

[Madlegs1]

If it's not a slow release formulation- then it's perfectly ok to split tablets.

Good luck.

[foxglove in reply to Madlegs1]

Doesn't say slow release so presumably not - thanks for advice and good luck wishes. Could do with that as I seem to be at a place where I can't get anything right, I'm told even a low dose of ami!!!. can cause fogginess so perhaps that's it!!!

I'll carry on reducing.

[foxglove in reply to foxglove]

Forgive all the exclamation marks....poor old, tired brain again

[ladybear]

I take 25mg at night to promote sleep and for pain. It is a very low amount and I don't get forgetful etc. However you don't say how often you take it in a day. If a number of times a day you could just miss out one dose. Taking it a number of times a day would give a slight groggyness but it rather depends on what it has been prescribed for. I have gone days without my nightly pill if I have little pain and sufficient sleep. I start taking it again if I have a flair up of pain and insufficient sleep as it's a gentle muscle relaxer that helps pain. From my experience I would say its a useful drug when needed in small amounts and under your control. If I take 50/75mg for say a migraine I get cramp/restless legs so definitely better in lower dose. I hope this is of some help.

[Cooper27 in reply to ladybear]

Amitriptyline is such a funny one - I took 75mg for a year, it made me extremely tired and groggy, but I slept like a baby. My friend went on 10mg for a month, and it made her an insomniac.

[foxglove in reply to Cooper27]

Nowt so queer as folk!....just as well we're all different!!!

[foxglove in reply to ladybear]

I take 25 mg at night, doesn't really help the pain any more (think I've just got used to PHN which now isn't too bad) The main reason I keep on AMI. is to help me sleep, I've been an insomniac most of my life Child as well as adult! and it's like a miracle. Not really too groggy in morning - nothing that a couple of coffees wont sort. Your advice does help and as long as doc. prescribes will I think maybe keep on the 25mg if I need. Was a bit paranoid when someone said it was a dangerous drug, but then I don't think she knew what the misery of insomnia was like, have never tried any more than 25mg.

[foxglove in reply to ladybear]

Good advice esp. keeping under control, I've never taken more than 25 mg.

[Cooper27]

Splitting is fine, with amitriptyline, but also just know amytrityline comes in 10mg doses - it would be easier! I reduced from 25mg to 10mg for 2 weeks, then took 10mg every other night for 2 weeks (instead of splitting) then stopped.

My worry with splitting is getting the sizes consistent and not losing the 1/4 somewhere our pets might get to it!

[Cooper27 in reply to Cooper27]

Should say coming off is quicker and less tiring than going on. It was more like a fog clearing gradually. Your dr should really advise you and monitor you as you come off, but I wouldn't personally bother with 1/4 tablets - either just take half or get a 10mg dose from your dr.

[foxglove in reply to Cooper27]

Agree with your advice generally, it's the sleep issue that bugs me . I did come off by using some 10 mg I had left but then the insomnia bounced back. I should be happy to let doc. monitor but getting apps. difficult - story of all our life's!

[Cooper27 in reply to foxglove]

Yeah, I went through the insomnia phase for a spell. It lasted about a month. I think you will have insomnia regardless, but if you reduce the dose slowly enough, it might last a little less time!

[foxglove in reply to Cooper27]

Yay , expecting the sleep prob. but don't know how I will handle it....I'm a wimp!

[Cooper27 in reply to foxglove]

You just have to adopt the attitude that it will be worth it afterwards. I hated amitriptyline, and it did nothing for my pain, so I just told myself it was all temporary and would be worth it!

[foxglove in reply to Cooper27]

I started on the 10mg, was doc. that suggested the 25 mg, don't think the sizes with splitting matters too much as long as more or less the same and will balance out(I think) Take your point about pets.

[earthwitch]

You could ask your doctor for a few 10 mg tablets to help split it easier, but I think it would be OK as I don't think those tablets are slow release or enteric coated.

[foxglove]

Thanks!

[johnsmith]

You need to speak to a pharmacist.

Splitting will not alter composition. However, the tablet you are taking may have a surface coating. By splitting the tablet you expose what is underneath if it has a surface coating. Surface coatings are designed to prevent dissolving in the wrong part of the digestive system.

[Rosepetal60]

Pretty sure you can get it in liquid form, which may help in cutting down the amount

[foxglove]

Thanks have Googled and liquid is available . Might be easier to take as I have difficulty swallowing tablets . review of meds. due soon so will ask doc. I really (bottom line ) want to get off it completely but I know the sleep prob. will plague me again.

[BigBadBack]

Amitryptiline in any dose knocked me out after pulling 12 to 15 hour shifts. I wouldn't even wake up when my alarm went off to get my daughter from school. Worse yet, the reason I quit was that no young adult wants to have to wear a diaper. I slept straight through urination on several occasions. Thankfully we had a waterproof mattress protector. I was only on 5 mg when I quit. But I was up to 25 mg, so I have every 5 mg dose increment tablets.

[foxglove]

Interesting reply, I was fine on 25 mg up until recently, fortunately I've never slept through weeing (I have OAB) but instead of waking up before alarm and lying waiting I now have the alarm wake me and quite often go back to sleep and miss the hour's radio programme I enjoy. I was very grateful for AMI at first but I now know time to ease off, I'll have to find another send me to sleep method!!!....wish me luck.