Amitriptyline and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Bab...
• February 23, 2018

For Depression "I normally don't write reviews, and it's been over 3 years since I had a depressive episode, but I wanted to post something to let people know that there is always hope. I had a major depressive episode and couldn't sleep. I tried SSRIs and other antidepressants that either didn't work or caused side effects too great to tolerate. I was prescribed amitriptyline, and I went back to my old self. I did have side effects such as weight gain and increased heart rate, but these calmed down after a few months so worth waiting it out. My sleep returned first, and it was restful and refreshing. Then my mood improved along with the anxiety. I was at a desperation point by the time I went onto amitriptyline, and I remember googling forums like this to help me maintain hope. The sad thing about depression is that it takes away the hope that you'll ever get better or lead a 'normal' life again. I wanted to post this because I did get better, I returned to work, and I resumed my life as it was before."

• Lor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I've had horrendous panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. This Amitriptyline has stopped the panics within 2 weeks, and the anxiety and depression are better. At least I'm functional now. I tried lots of SSRIs, and they made me worse and made me gain lots of weight. Amitriptyline is the only antidepressant that ever helped me. I'll swear by it for the rest of my life. I am on a maintenance dose of 25mg per day, and the difference is almost miraculous."

• Gwe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I took amitriptyline for a year back in 2016. It did wonders for my anxiety, insomnia, and nerve pain. I stopped taking it because I had gained 30 pounds in that year, and I was afraid that I would just keep gaining. Over the last 3 years, I have tried medical marijuana, Prozac, nortriptyline, Zoloft, CBT, residential treatment, and more to try and treat my anxiety and C-PTSD. Nothing helped, and the SSRIs caused severe side effects. Last week, I decided to go back on amitriptyline. The morning after I took my 1st 10mg dose, I already felt calmer. My mood is better, my anxiety is better, and I am sleeping well. I just bumped up to 20mg last night. Other than a bit of grogginess for a day or two after each dosage bump and a slow creep of my weight, I don't have any side effects from this medication. I plan on watching my nutrition and getting more exercise this time around. I'm thankful I'm back on the only meds that have ever worked for me."

• Yor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Pain "I started taking amitriptyline 10mg on 1st Jan 2019. Initially, I slept 12 hours a night, had weird dreams, and was groggy and a little dizzy. This passed, though, after a couple of months. I have now been on it for 4 months and still sleeping well. It helps with pain and has helped with menopause and watery eyes too. Initially, I put on about 8 lbs, but now I am losing it again as I feel so much better and have lots of energy. My only regret is I didn’t start taking it 10 years ago. My advice: persevere as you get used to it and it will help."

• Chl...
• November 13, 2013

For Pain "I suffered with chronic pain for about seven years. Went to many specialists who told me either nothing was wrong or I had fibromyalgia. I tried all medications out there for pain, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and medication for epilepsy. As well as meds for fibro. Nothing helped. Finally, I found a new neurologist who put me on a combination of Amitriptyline and Prozac. I am on both the smallest doses. It has been a miracle for my pain. I wish I would have known about this 7 years ago. My biggest problem with it is weight gain like 13 pounds. My diet has not changed and I took up running. But no weight comes off. I guess I would rather have less pain and be a little overweight than skinny and in tons of pain."

• Ilo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2020

For Depression "Please don't be afraid to take Amitriptyline. I have taken Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Pristiq, and finally Amitriptyline. Wellbutrin gave me a horrendous rash and worsened anxiety. Prozac did nothing. Zoloft made me gain 50 pounds because I loved to sleep on it. Pristiq was OK, but I still had some awful PMS symptoms (cramps, anxiety, and migraines). Trintellix didn't work. Amitriptyline is my saving grace! Don't be afraid of it. My doctor avoided prescribing it because it has such a bad reputation. I'm doing Keto and IF (intermittent fasting) to counteract it. I feel fantastic, stable, happy, I get a great night's rest, and I have energy! ❤️ When you first start it, it will knock you out for about 24 hours. I'd start it when you have the following day off work."

• Mrs...
• March 21, 2011

Elavil (amitriptyline) for Anxiety and Stress "I'm bipolar. I've been on various medicines for almost 10 years. Well, my Dad died a few months ago. The depression and anxiety were so bad I could not function. My doctor prescribed this, along with my 40mg of Celexa. It took about a month to 6 weeks before I felt any better. But I also have chronic pain from spinal arthritis. This medication has helped me get my life back! But in the process, I've gained 20 lbs in 8 weeks, and I was already overweight. It's helped with my chronic pain and with the depression. I love how I feel on this but not the weight gain."

• GG1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "Amitriptyline is a great medication. After over 10 years of taking strong painkillers as and when for neuropathic pain, I went to doctors and said enough is enough. I want something else. I was prescribed this drug and it's amazing. One pill a day and I feel normal. I'm absolutely over the moon. However... There is usually a 'however'... The dreaded weight gain. I've put on around 3 stone in around 4 months and no longer fit into my clothes. I walk 10,000 steps Monday to Friday and then walk for 3 hours Saturday and Sunday, and the weight will not shift (again like other people, it's the stomach where the weight has accumulated). I'm now at a loss as I am so happy that I can do things without discomfort. However, it comes at a price. I've only been on the tablets for 4 months and I'm worried that I'll keep on gaining weight. So I'm telling myself that I'll have to come to a decision at the 6-month mark. Anyway, hope this review helps anybody as this site has really helped me."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2020

Elavil (amitriptyline) for Insomnia "I've had insomnia in almost every way you can have it, so I've tried the whole raft of sedatives and hypnotics. Only three have worked: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxepin/Silenor, and this. Just the fact that it keeps me asleep is such a godsend that I can't give it a bad review, but ... Of the three drugs that work, this is the worst. It has more neurological side effects, it puts me in a lousy mood that lasts most of the next day (not terrible, but maybe 25% grumpier than usual), and it leads to weight gain even at the lowest dose (10mg). If my hormones are out of whack (high cortisol), amitriptyline doesn't make me groggy, but if they're in line it really does, leaving me wool-headed until the middle of the afternoon. It also has negative interactions with a bunch of other drugs, so be careful to check it against your other prescriptions/recreational drugs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2016

For Pain "I took 25mg of this drug for 20 years after being diagnosed with 7 different autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I went off it last May due to increased irritability. My symptoms all returned from the diseases - burning feet and toes, pain in knees, hips, back, and shoulders. So, I started back on my 25mg. The first night I slept through the whole night, the first time in months. I'm on day 5 and still have the hungover feeling 24/7, but nothing hurts. My whole body has a tingling sensation, which is much more tolerable than pain. However, my appetite has doubled, which is a huge worry as weight gain equals more pain in the joints. But I'll take having to watch my food intake over pain any day."

• JLS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I was having an anxiety disorder (shaking hands, blushing, obsessions). I was put on sertraline but had a terrible side effect to this and was put on 20mg amitriptyline to counteract this. From the moment I took it, my hands stopped shaking and intrusive thoughts reduced. I was upped to 50mg and I am back to my old self. Hardly any worries at all, no shaking, feel happy. No dry mouth but I have probably put a stone of weight on and gone up 1-2 dress sizes. This side effect is worth it for the benefits it has given me."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "If you are thinking about going on this medicine for irritable bowel syndrome, do it! I have been suffering for almost 5 years now, and I was missing work and was terrified to leave my house. Any social event I would go to, I would be terrified I would have a flare-up. I used to LIVE off Pepto, and I started taking amitriptyline (25mg), it has changed my life! For real! Besides a little weight gain, which is much better than living the life I was, it has truly saved me. This dosage is really good for me, and my irritable bowel syndrome was very severe. I take it with dinner so I don't wake up too tired! Good luck!"

• Aly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "My 10 rating is for the medicine's effectiveness for insomnia, not pain. I used to take lots of medications, including amitriptyline. I gained 20 pounds. To lose weight, I started adhering to a plant-based diet and exercising. After 4 months of diet and exercise, my pain was almost gone, so I dropped all of my medications. After that, I lost 15 pounds. A few months later, my insomnia came back. Because I wasn't sleeping, my pain increased again. So, I started back on amitriptyline. I take 30mg 4-5 hrs before bed. It takes a few weeks to kick in as a sleep aid and it might cause night sweats for about a month. After a month, I started sleeping like a rock and I have no side effects or weight gain. My previous weight gain was due to Gabapentin."

• Lil...
• May 30, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had stomach problems for years and had gone through several gastroscopy tests and was diagnosed with acid reflux. Doctors prescribed me different antacids for a year that never helped. Luckily, I met an amazing GI Dr. He questioned me a bit about my life and figured out that I had a deep depression due to my mother's loss 2 years ago. We were fighting for her cancer for 2 years, and she passed away in the end. So the doctor said it's nothing but a depressed mind and depressed stomach. He prescribed me Elavil 10mg for one year. It's been 10 days since I started taking it before going to bed, and I can say it has changed my life. No more pain, no more symptoms, and I can eat pretty much everything, even coffee and sweets. The only side effect is that I have a great appetite, gained 1 kg, and have difficulty waking up in the morning, but once I'm up, I'm full of energy again. I totally recommend it."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I suffered with depression and crippling anxiety since I was 23. For me, at that age, having 2-3 panic attacks a day was no joke. Thinking back now, I was basically on 'auto pilot' mode through university. I've tried everything from Prozac to NuZac to alprazolam, Zopax, diazepam, you name it. I just couldn't get past the fact that I should be on so many different pills just to get through a day 'normally.' One night, I asked my gran for something to sleep because I was just so damn tired of constantly fighting this condition. She gave me 25 mg. From one to two weeks, and like they say, the rest was history. I'm 31 now, I'm a mom, a successful accountant, and I just can't thank my gran enough. No more panic attacks, tight chest, sweaty hands, dizzy spells, hypochondria, or even depression. Yes, I've gained a few pounds because this medication tends to increase your appetite, but I honestly don't mind. Comparing the weight gain vs. crippling anxiety, I'll definitely choose this drug over and over!!"

• Ort...
• January 23, 2016

For Pain "I have been taking amitriptyline on and off for over three years after a serious road accident, where my pelvis was crushed and I suffered major nerve damage. It really works, but I am trying to get off it permanently because of the side effects. It helps with pain and sleep, which are my two biggest complaints, but the side effects of constipation, dry mouth, and a weight gain of 50 pounds (from 120 to 170) are really quite terrible, especially when taken in connection with other side effect-causing drugs. I would be very careful about taking this drug. It's very important to weigh the costs vs benefits. Since I was a trauma patient, I didn't have much choice in the matter, and I am still living with the consequences."

• Soc...
• July 22, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "Although I have gained 20 lbs on this medicine, I feel much better overall. I take 125mg at bedtime and haven't slept so well in 25 years. I started on a dosage of 25mg which did nothing, not even make me sleepy. I had immediate relief after the dosage was regulated. This, in conjunction with anti-anxiety medication, has helped tremendously. I just have to exercise daily and keep a watch over what I eat. But that is a small trade for the drastic change in my overall well-being and frame of mind."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

Elavil (amitriptyline) for Depression "I've tried about every medication out there for my anxiety and depression: Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Paxil, Cymbalta, Emsam, Xanax, etc. At 75mg, Elavil helped me sleep. I had more energy, I didn't feel restless, and I rarely got upset. I thought I had found the perfect cure until I started to gain weight. I decreased my calorie intake, increased my exercise, and the weight just kept coming. In 4 months, I had gained 26 pounds. I also started to have severe dry mouth; my throat was dry, and my voice was hoarse. I also started to have blurred vision. I really like this medicine but know I can handle the side effects."

• Hei...
• February 28, 2012

Elavil (amitriptyline) for Somatoform Pain Disorder "I've been using Elavil for almost 4 years now and can't live without it! If I run out before I can get to the pharmacy, my symptoms return with a vengeance and I feel awful again! I would recommend this medicine to ANYONE dealing with pain, insomnia, or depression to consider this medicine! I started off on a low dose (25mg) per night, now only on 50mg, and I have NEVER done so well in my life emotionally or physically! One of the negatives for me has been weight gain and now high blood pressure because of the weight, BUT I tell everyone I'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and miserable!"

• Rho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 3, 2014

Endep (amitriptyline) for Fibromyalgia "I have been on Endep for 35 years. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and plenty more. In the last six months, I have been getting very odd symptoms such as the ones provided within this article! Sudden weight gain, inability to eat properly, tiredness, rounded face, weakness, sore mouth and tongue, to slight more depression. At the moment, I am on a doctor's treadmill... everyone from my endocrinologist to a neurologist, GP, and many more have put their hands up saying I don't know! The medicines work really well for fibromyalgia, but after some time, they can work against you! Please look at the list of side effects. I have a lot of them. Good luck!"

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2019

For Depression "Well, I'm male, 30. I have severe hemophilia A, severe arthritis, pain, and depression. Also, I'm underweight. I started using amitriptyline from 5 to 25 mg. Anyone using it should know it takes a month for it to work. At first, you will have dry mouth, fast to sleep at nights, and weight gain. All of these side effects were my solutions. Actually, I was very thin, now I'm at a good weight scale. I gained weight, I became more sedated, had fewer mood swings, less pain, and was more active. So far, after a month of 25 mg amitriptyline, I became really better, both on depression and pain (also better at anxiety). For me, it’s great. Negative things are dry mouth and a bit of constipation, but these wane off after a while."

• Lor...
• December 8, 2007

Endep (amitriptyline) for Depression "I have only just started using Endep after the sudden onset of a severe depression. I found that it has helped me a great deal. The only side effects that I've had up to this point are a gain in weight (as I wasn't eating properly when depressed) and at night, I'll wake from sleep covered in perspiration - though only from the chest up. I'm hoping with counselling I'll be able to stop taking this medication asap, but it has been a great help. Thanks :)"

• Mir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2022

For Depression "Am on amitriptyline for 10 years and now am on 100 mg. I am 30 years old, have weight gain, tiredness, some nightmares, vivid dreams, but apart from all side effects, amitriptyline is a very effective antidepressant and good for other mental illnesses. I have tried other meds for depression, but they don't work for me. Give this drug a chance, be patient, and it will amaze you. God bless you all, viewers."

• 41r...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2013

Elavil (amitriptyline) for Interstitial Cystitis "Actually, I started taking it for severe nerve pain in my neck, and I have Interstitial Cystitis as well. Since taking it, I have had great success with the management of pain. I have gained 35 lbs while being on the medication, but sometimes you have no choice. Hands down, give me a life without pain and suffering with 35 extra lbs. I will gladly take poundage over pain any day."

• ja2...
• June 28, 2008

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have taken amitriptyline for 3 months for IBS. I take 20mg at night and 10mg in the morning. I cannot believe how well I feel. I put a little weight on but can now make arrangements to go out and not have to cancel due to the IBS."