Amitriptyline

[Bridall]

I have been given amitriptaline for rls but I took one tablet & it was worse. My doctor said it will get better after a week but shd take it for a month. I don’t think I can stand it. Anyone had any success?

[SueJohnson]

No it won't get better. It is known to make RLS worse for most. It's a tricyclic antidepressant. The two anti depressants that are safe are Wellbutrin and trazodone.

[Simkin]

Golly. Poor you. In my experience amitriptyline made my legs go in to manic overtime. Stay clear is my advice from personal experience.

[SueJohnson in reply to Simkin]

My laugh for the day - manic overtime 🤣🤣🤣

[Simkin in reply to SueJohnson]

So glad I made you laugh, Sue! We all need to laugh.

[amdrew_m]

Made my rls far worse. Keep away from it. Your message reads like your doctor actually prescribed to treat rls? Doesn’t sound like that doctor knows anything about treating rls

[Oscarcat63]

As above. I was given amitriptyline for pain - I knew from the posts and advice on here that there was a good chance of it worsening my rls. I gave it a shot so I could at least say I tried it.

I think I got up to day 20 or 24 and my legs went crazy.

No effect on pain either.

Can you get pregabalin, or if you can't tolerate that, or it's not effective, a low dose opioid ?

[Joolsg]

Please file a written complaint to your GP and the Royal College of General Practitioners.This is BASIC RLS knowledge.

Your GP should actually do some research before prescribing anti depressants for RLS.

They are trained to prescribe Amitriptyline for nerve pain. RLS is NOT nerve pain.

It is listed as a medication to avoid on RLS-UK and every RLS help site.

The new NICE cks guidance AND NHS guidelines clearly tell doctors to avoid prescribing anti depressants (other than trazodone or wellbutrin) to RLS patients.

Tell your GP that the RCGPs will require all UK doctors to learn about RLS from August 2025.

So show them the RLS-UK website to give them a head start.

Stop taking Amitriptyline now.

It will NOT get better.

[Dotmowatee]

It made my rls worse, the doctor is wrong it won't get any better, I would stop it immediately.