Apo-Amitriptyline Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Amitriptyline is structurally and pharmacologically related to imipramine, desipramine and nortriptyline.
In experimental animals, amitripyline exhibits a disruptive action on the electroencephalogram and on operant behavior, a fairly strong anticonvulsant action, a peripheral atropine like action, antihistamine and antiserotonin effects, some adrenergic blockage and a gastric antisecretory effect. Amitriptyline is not a MAO inhibitor. The manner in when it exerts its clinical antidepressant effect is uncertain.
Amitriptyline is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Antidepressant effects may not be apparent for 2 or more weeks. It is metabolized by the liver to active (nortriptyline) and inactive metabolites. Elimination half-life is 10 to 50 hours. Amitriptyline is excreted in the urine and bile as conjugates of the cis and trans isomers of 10-hydroxynortriptyline.