In this study 10 of 17 patients receiving long-term amitriptyline
treatment (average duration: 3.7 years, average dose: 138 mg) had their
medication tapered and discontinued under double-blind conditions. Eight
became depressed within 3 to 15 weeks. None of the 7 control subjects
became depressed during the 6 months of the study. Those who became
depressed also showed psychomotor retardation and sleep disturbance. Relief
of longstanding anticholinergic side effects followed medication
discontinuation. Some patients whose amitryptyline was discontinued
experienced a mild withdrawal syndrome within the first 2 weeks, consisting
of irritability, dream and sleep disturbance, and restlessness during the
first few weeks.Abstract Teaser