Alternatives to amitriptyline
6 same-class SPL records vs amitriptyline - uses, FAERS reaction fields, and OTC/Rx flags from public FDA sources.
Brand: Elavil
About amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression. It may take up to 30 days to feel the full effect.
Used for: Amitriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It works best for a type of depression called endogenous depression. This is depression that comes from within, rather than being caused by outside events.
6 Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) peers (wide set)
clomipramine
RxAnafranil
Clomipramine treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD causes upsetting thoughts or images that keep coming back. It also causes the need to repeat actions over and over. Clomipramine can help control these symptoms.
desipramine
RxNorpramin
Desipramine is used to treat depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and trouble functioning in daily life. This medicine can help improve your mood and overall well-being.
doxepin
RxSinequan, Silenor
Doxepin is used to treat insomnia, which means you have trouble staying asleep. It can help you sleep better if you have problems with waking up during the night. This medicine has been tested for up to 3 months.
imipramine
RxTofranil
This medicine can help relieve the symptoms of depression. It may work better for some types of depression than others. Imipramine can also be used to help reduce bedwetting in children 6 years and older, but only after a doctor has ruled out other possible causes.
nortriptyline
RxPamelor
Nortriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It may work better for some types of depression than others. Talk to your doctor to see if nortriptyline is right for you.
protriptyline
RxVivactil
Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of mental depression. It is especially helpful for people who are withdrawn and lack energy. Your doctor will monitor you closely while you are taking this medicine.
amitriptyline vs clomipramine & desipramine · FAERS reaction fields
FAERS top-reaction field "Pain" shows the widest count spread between amitriptyline and clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin in this extract (1,038-report gap on that field). Counts are exposure-weighted submissions, not prevalence rates.
| Side Effect | amitriptyline | clomipramine | desipramine | doxepin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain | 1,565 | - | 59 | 527 |
| Nausea | 1,434 | 173 | 77 | 557 |
| Headache | 1,381 | - | 70 | 482 |
| Fatigue | 1,371 | 136 | 119 | 599 |
| Dyspnoea | 1,340 | 135 | 53 | 418 |
| Dizziness | 1,153 | 136 | 63 | 405 |
| Diarrhoea | 1,087 | - | 43 | 431 |
| Malaise | 1,031 | 143 | - | - |
"-" means no reports for that reaction. Report counts reflect total FAERS submissions, not prevalence rates.
amitriptyline peer mix vs class inventory
Peer mix
0 OTC and 6 Rx SPL records in this peer set (6 total). Class inventory for Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA): 7 drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What same-class SPL records sit beside amitriptyline? ▼
Reading a wide Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) peer set (6 records)
amitriptyline (Elavil) sits in a wide Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) peer set (6 of 6 class peers shown). Labeled indication field for amitriptyline: Amitriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression.
Top FAERS reaction fields for amitriptyline total 12,359 reports across 10 reactions, set beside clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin. Counts are exposure-weighted submissions, not per-patient risk.
Registry note: Therapeutic-class peer lists are registry indexes, not prescribing advice. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not stop or change your medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Field note for amitriptyline: see also the generic vs brand label guide when reading Elavil SPL strings.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.