Amitriptyline Dependence and Its Associations: A Case Report andLiterature Review

Amitriptyline, the second antidepressant invented next to imipramine, is indicated in many psychiatric conditions as well as forsome organic disorders. The drug acts by increasing the availability of monoamines in the central nervous system postsynapticclefts. Amitriptyline has long been suspected for abusive potential based on a few case reports, and the reports add evidence infavor of the hypothesis. This case report brings such material to the arena of evidence and discusses the probable mechanismsby which patients turn to abusing and be addicted to the drug. The article also argues matters associated with drug dispensingthat might raise the risk of misuse of the drug, especially in countries where strict legislation for accessibility of prescribed drugsis not in practice.