Amitriptyline

Generic Name: amitriptyline (a mee TRIP ti leen)

Brand name: Elavil, Endep, Vanatrip

Drug interactions:

Perphenazine and amitriptyline (per-FEN-a-zeen and a-mee-TRIP-ti-leen) combination is used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. How tricyclic antidepressants improve depression symptoms is not fully understood. They are thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help improve mood. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amitriptyline, or if you have recently had a heart attack. Do not use this medication if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine, selegiline) within the last 14 days. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.