Last update June 27, 2022

Amitriptyline

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Tricyclic antidepressant and analgesic with marked anticholinergic and sedative properties. Indicated in the treatment of depression, neuropathic pain and migraine prophylaxis. It is metabolized to nortriptyline (Weissmann 2004). Oral administration in two daily doses.

It is excreted into breastmilk in a clinically non-significant amount. (Bader 1980, Brixen 1982, Pittard 1986, Breyer 1995)

Plasma levels in the infant have been found undetectable. (Ericsson 1979, Bader 1980, Brixen 1982, Breyer 1995) or very low. (Yoshida 1997)

No side effects being observed even at maternal doses as high as 150-175 mg / day (Brixen 1982 , Misri 1991, Nulman 2002). However, one published case of sedation on a 15-day-old infant that occured within few days after taken just 10 mg daily of amitriptyline by her mother because of insomnia and anxiety (Uguz 2017). Levels were not measured in either milk or plasma of the infant and the mother.

Amitriptyline may produce galactorrhoea with or without hyperprolatinemia. (Suthar 2018, Coker 2010, Egberts 1997)

Somnolence and adequate feeding of the infant should be monitored. Because it can cause sedation and drowsiness, it is not recommended to share a bed (co-sleeping, bed-sharing) with the baby if this medication is being taken, due to increased risk of asphyxia or sudden infant death. (UNICEF 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2013, Landa 2012, ABM 2008, UNICEF 2006)

Expert authors consider the use of this medication to be possible during lactation. (Hale, Uguz 2021)

Until more published data is known about this drug in relation to breastfeeding, known safer alternatives are preferable (Sriraman 2015, Davanzo 2011, ABM 2008), especially during the neonatal period and in the event of prematurity.

Women suffering from depression during pregnancy need more breastfeeding support due to their increased risk of breastfeeding problems and early weaning. (Grzeskowiak 2018, Leggett 2017, Venkatesh 2017, Gorman 2012)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Maternal Depression (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Amitriptyline is also known as


Amitriptyline in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Amitriptyline in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 100 %
Molecular weight 314 daltons
Protein Binding 95 %
VD 6 - 10 l/Kg
Tmax 4 hours
31 - 46 hours
M/P ratio 1 - 1.7 -
Theoretical Dose 0.02 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 4 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 1.3 - 2 %

References

  1. Uguz F. A New Safety Scoring System for the Use of Psychotropic Drugs During Lactation. Am J Ther. 2021 Jan-Feb 01;28(1):e118-e126. Abstract
  2. Grzeskowiak LE, Leggett C, Costi L, Roberts CT, Amir LH. Impact of serotonin reuptake inhibitor use on breast milk supply in mothers of preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Jun;84(6):1373-1379. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Suthar N, Pareek V, Nebhinani N, Suman DK. Galactorrhea with antidepressants: A case series. Indian J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;60(1):145-146. Abstract
  4. Uguz F. Poor Feeding and Severe Sedation in a Newborn Nursed by a Mother on a Low Dose of Amitriptyline. Breastfeed Med. 2017 Jan/Feb;12:67-68. Abstract
  5. Leggett C, Costi L, Morrison JL, Clifton VL, Grzeskowiak LE. Antidepressant Use in Late Gestation and Breastfeeding Rates at Discharge from Hospital. J Hum Lact. 2017 Nov;33(4):701-709. Abstract
  6. Venkatesh KK, Castro VM, Perlis RH, Kaimal AJ. Impact of antidepressant treatment during pregnancy on obstetric outcomes among women previously treated for depression: an observational cohort study. J Perinatol. 2017 Sep;37(9):1003-1009. Abstract
  7. Sriraman NK, Melvin K, Meltzer-Brody S. ABM Clinical Protocol #18: Use of Antidepressants in Breastfeeding Mothers. Breastfeed Med. 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Larsen ER, Damkier P, Pedersen LH, Fenger-Gron J, Mikkelsen RL, Nielsen RE, Linde VJ, Knudsen HE, Skaarup L, Videbech P. Use of psychotropic drugs during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 2015 Abstract
  9. Davanzo R, Bua J, Paloni G, Facchina G. Breastfeeding and migraine drugs. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Abstract
  10. Pringsheim T, Davenport W, Mackie G, Worthington I, Aubé M, Christie SN, Gladstone J, Becker WJ; Canadian Headache Society Prophylactic Guidelines Development Group.. Canadian Headache Society guideline for migraine prophylaxis. Can J Neurol Sci. 2012 Abstract
  11. Gorman JR, Kao K, Chambers CD. Breastfeeding among women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. J Hum Lact. 2012 Abstract
  12. Pringsheim T, Davenport W, Mackie G, Worthington I, Aubé M, Christie SN, Gladstone J, Becker WJ; Canadian Headache Society Prophylactic Guidelines Development Group. Canadian Headache Society guideline for migraine prophylaxis. Can J Neurol Sci. 2012 Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  13. Davanzo R, Copertino M, De Cunto A, Minen F, Amaddeo A. Antidepressant drugs and breastfeeding: a review of the literature. Breastfeed Med. 2011 Abstract
  14. Hale TW, Kendall-Tackett K, Cong Z, Votta R, McCurdy F. Discontinuation syndrome in newborns whose mothers took antidepressants while pregnant or breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2010 Abstract
  15. Coker F, Taylor D. Antidepressant-induced hyperprolactinaemia: incidence, mechanisms and management. CNS Drugs. 2010 Jul;24(7):563-74. Abstract
  16. Acedo-Valenzuela MI, Mora-Díez N, Galeano-Díaz T, Silva-Rodríguez A. Determination of tricyclic antidepressants in human breast milk by capillary electrophoresis. Anal Sci. 2010 Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  17. Cassina M, Di Gianantonio E, Toldo I, Battistella PA, Clementi M. Migraine therapy during pregnancy and lactation. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2010 Nov;9(6):937-48. Abstract
  18. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM clinical protocol #18: use of antidepressants in nursing mothers. Breastfeed Med. 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  19. Mahadevan U, Kane S. American gastroenterological association institute technical review on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy. Gastroenterology. 2006 Jul;131(1):283-311. Review. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  20. Rubin ET, Lee A, Ito S. When breastfeeding mothers need CNS-acting drugs. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2004 Fall;11(2):e257-66. Epub 2004 Dec 8. Abstract
  21. Weissman AM, Levy BT, Hartz AJ, Bentler S, Donohue M, Ellingrod VL, Wisner KL. Pooled analysis of antidepressant levels in lactating mothers, breast milk, and nursing infants. Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  22. Gjerdingen D. The effectiveness of various postpartum depression treatments and the impact of antidepressant drugs on nursing infants. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  23. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  24. Nulman I, Rovet J, Stewart DE, Wolpin J, Pace-Asciak P, Shuhaiber S, Koren G. Child development following exposure to tricyclic antidepressants or fluoxetine throughout fetal life: a prospective, controlled study. Am J Psychiatry. 2002 Abstract
  25. Egberts AC, Meyboom RH, De Koning FH, Bakker A, Leufkens HG. Non-puerperal lactation associated with antidepressant drug use. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  26. Yoshida K, Smith B, Craggs M, Kumar RC. Investigation of pharmacokinetics and of possible adverse effects in infants exposed to tricyclic antidepressants in breast-milk. J Affect Disord. 1997 Abstract
  27. Wisner KL, Perel JM, Findling RL. Antidepressant treatment during breast-feeding. Am J Psychiatry. 1996 Sep;153(9):1132-7. Review. Abstract
  28. Breyer-Pfaff U, Nill K, Entenmann KN, Gaertner HJ. Secretion of amitriptyline and metabolites into breast milk. Am J Psychiatry. 1995 Abstract
  29. Misri S, Sivertz K. Tricyclic drugs in pregnancy and lactation: a preliminary report. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1991 Abstract
  30. Pittard WB 3rd, O'Neal W Jr. Amitriptyline excretion in human milk. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1986 Abstract
  31. Brixen-Rasmussen L, Halgrener J, Jørgensen A. Amitriptyline and nortriptyline excretion in human breast milk. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1982 Abstract
  32. Bader TF, Newman K. Amitriptyline in human breast milk and the nursing infant's serum. Am J Psychiatry. 1980 Abstract
  33. Erickson SH, Smith GH, Heidrich F. Tricyclics and breast feeding. Am J Psychiatry. 1979 Abstract
  34. Turkington RW. Prolactin secretion in patients treated with various drugs: phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, reserpine, and methyldopa. Arch Intern Med. 1972 Abstract

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