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Can Amitriptyline Cause Renal Dysfunction?
Question: I am 63 years old female and I have a moderate impairment in the kidney (56). I am on amitriptyline for a year. Could this be the cause. I want to pay you but don't know how . I don't have a XXXXXXX
My email is : YYYY@YYYY
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I am waiting for the answer please
Where can I find your answer please
My email is : YYYY@YYYY
Where can I get your answer - in the email or what ?
I am waiting for the answer please
Where can I find your answer please
Brief Answer:
Other causes needs to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Amitryptilline is known to cause renal dysfunction but in long term use. However, it's not a prominent effect of amitryptilline to cause renal dysfunction. So, we need to evaluate the other causes which could cause such dysfunction.
Renal dysfunction has been seen with amitryptilline more in females of 60+ years age who have been taking the drug for 5 - 10 years, and are also taking other nephrotoxic drugs like Lasix, Pain killers.
Any renal dysfunction requires evaluation of the cause as that can be Acute Kidney Injury or Chronic Kidney Disease.
You should get a repeat kidney function test done after drinking plenty of water that is by hydrating your kidneys well.
Even if, it is high, you would require further workup:
1. Ultrasound Abdomen
2. Urine examination
3. Fasting Blood sugar
4. Blood pressure measurement
5. Hemoglobin and Serum calcium levels.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Other causes needs to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Amitryptilline is known to cause renal dysfunction but in long term use. However, it's not a prominent effect of amitryptilline to cause renal dysfunction. So, we need to evaluate the other causes which could cause such dysfunction.
Renal dysfunction has been seen with amitryptilline more in females of 60+ years age who have been taking the drug for 5 - 10 years, and are also taking other nephrotoxic drugs like Lasix, Pain killers.
Any renal dysfunction requires evaluation of the cause as that can be Acute Kidney Injury or Chronic Kidney Disease.
You should get a repeat kidney function test done after drinking plenty of water that is by hydrating your kidneys well.
Even if, it is high, you would require further workup:
1. Ultrasound Abdomen
2. Urine examination
3. Fasting Blood sugar
4. Blood pressure measurement
5. Hemoglobin and Serum calcium levels.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr,
Thanks for your reply. I have been taking antidepressants for nearly 10 years now. The last med I was on is Amitrityline, but I am about to stop it and start another SSR drug.
These are my CBC results:
Haemoglobin: 127 g/L ( 115 - 155 )
RBC: 4.24 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )
HCT: 0.37 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )
MCV: 88 fL ( 80 - 99 )
MCH: 30.0 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 )
Platelets: 311 x10e9/L ( 150 - 400 )
WBC: 9.5 x10e9/L ( 4.0 - 11.0 )
Neutrophils: 5.90 x10e9/L ( 1.90 - 7.50 )
Lymphocytes: 2.89 x10e9/L ( 1.00 - 4.00 )
Monocytes: 0.58 x10e9/L ( 0.20 - 1.00 )
Eosinophils: 0.15 x10e9/L ( < 0.51 )
Basophils: 0.02 x10e9/L ( 0.00 - 0.20 )
My Renal Function results read:
Sodium: 137 mmol/L ( 135 - 145 )
Potassium: 5.0 mmol/L ( 3.5 - 5.2 )
Creatinine: 94 umol/L ( 45 - 90 ) H
eGFR: 56 mL/min/1.73m2 ( > 90 ) L
Blood Sugar non fasting reads 43.
My blood pressure has been high for the past 5 months but I am on Metoprolol at the moment and it reads 140/90 these days. My cholestrol is a bit high as well reading 5.2 and I am on Vastatin.
I am really concerned and worried that my egfr gets worse. Could it get worse and what should I do.
Kind regards.
Thanks for your reply. I have been taking antidepressants for nearly 10 years now. The last med I was on is Amitrityline, but I am about to stop it and start another SSR drug.
These are my CBC results:
Haemoglobin: 127 g/L ( 115 - 155 )
RBC: 4.24 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )
HCT: 0.37 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )
MCV: 88 fL ( 80 - 99 )
MCH: 30.0 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 )
Platelets: 311 x10e9/L ( 150 - 400 )
WBC: 9.5 x10e9/L ( 4.0 - 11.0 )
Neutrophils: 5.90 x10e9/L ( 1.90 - 7.50 )
Lymphocytes: 2.89 x10e9/L ( 1.00 - 4.00 )
Monocytes: 0.58 x10e9/L ( 0.20 - 1.00 )
Eosinophils: 0.15 x10e9/L ( < 0.51 )
Basophils: 0.02 x10e9/L ( 0.00 - 0.20 )
My Renal Function results read:
Sodium: 137 mmol/L ( 135 - 145 )
Potassium: 5.0 mmol/L ( 3.5 - 5.2 )
Creatinine: 94 umol/L ( 45 - 90 ) H
eGFR: 56 mL/min/1.73m2 ( > 90 ) L
Blood Sugar non fasting reads 43.
My blood pressure has been high for the past 5 months but I am on Metoprolol at the moment and it reads 140/90 these days. My cholestrol is a bit high as well reading 5.2 and I am on Vastatin.
I am really concerned and worried that my egfr gets worse. Could it get worse and what should I do.
Kind regards.
Brief Answer:
Get Ultrasound Abdomen done
Detailed Answer:
Hi, i have studied the reports. Your kidney functions are just slightly high. So, we should make sure by getting further tests, that this is an Acute Kidney Dysfunction or a Chronic one.
First of all get an Ultrasound Abdomen done to see for the size and the echotexture of the kidney's. If that is all fine, then this dysfunction is probably acute. Drink plenty of water and get it repeated.
I hope it helps.
Write back with Ultrasound report and a fresh Kidney function test report.
Stay Healthy.
Get Ultrasound Abdomen done
Detailed Answer:
Hi, i have studied the reports. Your kidney functions are just slightly high. So, we should make sure by getting further tests, that this is an Acute Kidney Dysfunction or a Chronic one.
First of all get an Ultrasound Abdomen done to see for the size and the echotexture of the kidney's. If that is all fine, then this dysfunction is probably acute. Drink plenty of water and get it repeated.
I hope it helps.
Write back with Ultrasound report and a fresh Kidney function test report.
Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much and I will the tests you suggested and get back to you
Brief Answer:
Get well soon.
Detailed Answer:
I hope it helps you.
When ever you want to get back to me, go to my profile and ask me a query over there so that it comes to me only.
Take care.
Get well soon.
Detailed Answer:
I hope it helps you.
When ever you want to get back to me, go to my profile and ask me a query over there so that it comes to me only.
Take care.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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