Endep prescription: what to expect when your doctor prescribes it

Endep is a brand name for amitriptyline, an older but still useful medicine that doctors prescribe for depression, nerve pain, migraine prevention, and sleep problems. If your clinician suggested Endep, this page explains why they might pick it, typical doses, the side effects to watch, and simple safety tips to make taking it less stressful.

Typical doses and how to take Endep

Doses vary a lot depending on the problem. For nerve pain or sleep-related use, doctors often start low — 10–25 mg at night — and adjust after a week or two. For depression, the usual range is higher, commonly 75–150 mg daily, sometimes split into morning and evening doses. For migraine prevention, small doses like 10–50 mg at night are common. Your prescriber will pick a dose based on your age, other medicines, and health conditions.

Take Endep the same way each day. Many people take it at night because it causes drowsiness. If you miss a single dose, take it when you remember unless it’s close to the next dose — don’t double up. If you stop taking it, your doctor will likely advise a slow taper over days or weeks to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Side effects, interactions and safety tips

Common side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, and weight gain. Some people notice lightheadedness when standing up — that’s from blood pressure changes. Rare but serious risks include heart rhythm changes, especially if you already have heart disease or take other drugs that affect the heart.

Avoid mixing Endep with MAO inhibitors (like phenelzine) and be careful with other antidepressants, certain antipsychotics, and some antibiotics — these can raise risk for serotonin syndrome or affect heart rhythm. Alcohol increases drowsiness and should be limited. Tell your doctor about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, and supplements you use, especially antihistamines, some cold medicines, and herbal products like St. John's Wort.

Special groups need extra care: older adults are more sensitive to confusion and falls; pregnant or breastfeeding people should discuss risks and benefits; and people with glaucoma, urinary retention, or recent heart attack should usually avoid it.

Before you leave the clinic, ask three quick questions: why this drug for my condition, what dose will I start on, and what symptoms should make me call right away? Keep a short list of side effects and any new medicines, and report worrying symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or very fast heartbeat immediately.

Endep can help a lot when used correctly, but it needs respect. If you want more detail about related topics — safe online pharmacies, buying meds, or alternatives for specific conditions — our site has clear guides and reviews to help you ask the right questions of your prescriber.