Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and, off-label, conditions like insomnia, anxiety, migraines, and chronic pain. Amitriptyline may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away. Why is this medication prescribed? Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed to maintain mental balance. Find out how amitriptyline treats pain and prevents migraine and how to take it. NHS medicines information on amitriptyline – what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it. Amitriptyline is a prescription medication used to treat mental/mood problems such as Depression. Amitriptyline is available under the following different brand names: Elavil, Levate Find patient medical information for Amitriptyline (Amitid, Elavil, Endep) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Amitriptyline oral tablets are approved to treat depression in adults and some children. They may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions like pain, migraine, and insomnia. This drug. Amitriptyline Tablets Amitriptyline is a medication that treats depression. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. These hormones help regulate your mood. Brand names for this medication include Elavil® and Vanatrip®. What Amitriptyline Tablets are and what they are used for. Amitriptyline belongs to a group of medicines known as tricyclic antidepressants. This medicine is used to treat: It's a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that's approved to treat depression. But it's not used as often today for depression because it can cause a lot of side effects, like sleepiness and weight gain. It also has many drug interactions.