And amitriptyline and alcohol have a significant impact on the central nervous system of mutually reinforcing their action. These substances have a similar impact on some of the internal organs, making the combination of amitriptyline with alcohol is very dangerous.

How does the body amitriptyline

Amitriptyline increases or suppresses the contents of individual brain neurotransmitters - biologically active substances that transmit information from one nerve cell (neuron) to another. Such an action can not affect the state of the central nervous system (CNS) in general. The main effect of amitriptyline is to restore the patient's emotional state (depression, withdrawal Depression - a little more than a bad mood , Anxiety and fear). He also has a pronounced calming effect.

But amitriptyline has many side effects that can occur in the CNS depression in the form of movement disorders (sometimes persistent), and speech disturbances, headache, dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet , Tinnitus, sleepiness, concentration, seizures, impaired consciousness, even coma and so on. One of the most dangerous side effects is amitriptyline inhibition of breathing center in the brain.

Numerous side effects it causes and other organs and systems: attacks of palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias, changeable blood pressure, various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver dysfunction, hormonal disorders, and so on.

How alcohol affects the body

Alcohol acts on the body bi-phase. In the first phase it causes the excitation of the central nervous system, and all related effects, and the second - a persistent inhibition of the central nervous system. That is the effect of the second phase of intoxication coincides with the action of amitriptyline. Suppression activity of the central nervous system of alcohol and concerns of vital functions. Especially dangerous is the depression of the respiratory center - this is the effect of alcohol often causes the death of people in a state of extreme intoxication.

In addition, alcohol is hepatotoxic poison, meaning it can destroy the liver cells.

How does the body combination of amitriptyline and alcohol

Amitriptyline increases the inhibitory effect of alcohol on the central nervous system. When combined with alcohol amitriptyline patient can rise very high temperature, developed a paralytic ileus. And amitriptyline and alcohol increase the content of norepinephrine in the central nervous system - the substance that stimulates the cardiovascular system and raises your blood pressure - this can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias and hypertensive crisis, which may end with stroke and myocardial infarction.

Imminent danger in the combined use of amitriptyline and alcohol arises from the oppression of these substances in the breathing center of the brain - the smallest overdose can lead to respiratory arrest Stop breathing (apnea) during sleep - upper airway obstruction   and the death of the patient.

Finally, amitriptyline and alcohol are toxic to liver cells that at the time of their simultaneous use can lead to toxic necrosis of the liver - a condition difficult to compatible with life.

Concomitant use of amitriptyline and alcohol causes severe drowsiness or agitation, slowness and blurred speech, disorientation to time and place of residence, confusion and impaired consciousness (even coma), a sharp persistent dilation of the pupils, a significant increase in body temperature, shortness of breath or cessation of breathing, hallucinations , seizures, rigidity (stiffness) of muscle, heart rhythm disorder.

Amitriptyline is rarely used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, as in patients with this disease often have contraindications to receiving this drug from the cardiovascular system and liver.

How to help the patient

It must be remembered that the concomitant use of amitriptyline and alcohol is dangerous for life, so do not wait until the patient becomes very ill, you need to call an ambulance. While the ambulance was going, the patient must wash out the stomach. To do this until it is in the mind, it is necessary to drink one to two liters of water and push the root of the tongue to induce vomiting. If a lot of food in the stomach, it is possible to repeat the procedure. After gastric lavage should be given to the patient to take a few tablets of activated charcoal Activated carbon - old but indispensable Which adsorbs to its surface, and removed from the body naturally amitriptyline and alcohol residues. Further medical treatment should be carried out in a hospital.

Patients taking amitriptyline, have a very good understanding of what can happen if at the same time take the drug alcohol.

Galina Romanenko

Amitriptyline - a medication to treat depression (antidepressant). It has a calming, antihistamine and analgesic effect, blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Assign amitriptyline for depression, neuroses, psychoses, and certain other conditions.

The mechanism of action of amitriptyline

Amitriptyline relates to a group of tricyclic antidepressant compounds. The mechanism of antidepressant action of amitriptyline associated with inhibition of reuptake of cells of the central nervous system (CNS) of certain neurotransmitters (substances with which cells are transmitted from a cell nerve impulses) - norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Simultaneously amitriptyline blocks the action of another neurotransmitter - acetylcholine.

This action gives amitriptyline painkillers, sedatives, antihistamines (allergy) properties. But its main action lies in the fact that he was able to restore normal emotional background that is is an antidepressant - this effect is not earlier than two weeks after receiving the drug. Amitriptyline reduces not only depression but also anxiety, nervous and mental stimulation, suppresses the appetite and has a positive effect when bedwetting (enuresis).

Various pharmaceutical companies it sold under the name amizol, amineurin, saroten, triptizol, elivel and other tablets and capsules for oral administration in different doses (25 to 75 mg) and ampoules in a 1% solution for intramuscular and intravenous administration.

Indications and contraindications for use

Amitriptyline is used only on prescription in the following diseases and conditions:

• for depression of any origin, but it is most effective in that case, if the depression associated with increased anxiety;
• with mixed emotional disorders in combination with behavioral disorders;
• when fears (phobias);
• for bed-wetting in children (nocturnal enuresis) - if not reduced the motor activity of the muscles of the bladder;
• anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa - a neurosis with eating disorders;
• for chronic pain;
• for preventing migraine.

Amitritilin contraindicated:

• with severe diseases of the cardiovascular system - heart failure, myocardial infarction, heart block, high blood pressure;
• with severe liver and kidney diseases in violation of their functions;
• an exacerbation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• when tissue growth (hyperplasia) of the prostate gland;
• decreased locomotor activity in the bladder;
• in violation of patency of the gastrointestinal tract;
• while the use of antidepressants, MAO inhibitors relating to;
• Pregnancy and breast- Breastfeeding - a personal choice   breast;
• children up to 6 years;
• if you are hypersensitive to the drug.

Amitriptyline is used with caution in chronic alcoholism, bronchospasm, manic-depressive psychosis Manic-depressive illness - which phases are the most dangerous? , Epilepsy, schizophrenia, diseases of the blood, low thyroid function, heart disease (angina), increased intraocular pressure.

Side effects

Side effects often develop because of the suppression of the action of acetylcholine and manifest as dilated pupils, blurred vision, increased intraocular pressure, reduced salivation, constipation (up to intestinal obstruction), urinary retention, high temperature. Usually these symptoms disappear after a habituation of the organism to the drug or reducing its dose.

But there may be more severe side effects:

• of the central and peripheral nervous system - headache, dizziness, movement disorders (including motor excitation), lethargy, irritability, weakness, anxiety, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, concentration, heavy dreams, speech, orientation, confusion , hallucinations, trembling of the limbs and body, sensory disturbances, convulsive readiness;
• the part of the circulatory system - heart palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, heart block, frequently changing blood pressure, symptoms of heart failure, syncope;
• the part of the digestive system - poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth, taste disturbances, brown patches on the tongue, abdominal pain, abnormal liver function;
• hormonal disorders - increasing the size of the breast, discharge from the breast Discharge from the breast - rule out breast cancer   (including men), disorders of libido, decrease or increase in blood sugar Blood sugar - a very important indicator ;
• Other side effects - a reduction in the number of blood platelets and white blood cells, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes, weight gain during prolonged use, sweating, frequent urination, and allergic reactions.

When amitriptyline is used in high doses for a long time, when its cancellation may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, behavioral disorders (withdrawal).

Amitriptyline - a drug that can be taken only on prescription.

Galina Romanenko