Thanks to the article in December 2004 (WDDTY vol 15 no 9) on drugs that are inappropriate for older patients, I am convinced that a good friend – who died a dreadful death – did so as a result of taking amitriptyline (Elavil), 25 mg twice a day for possibly 10 years. She was a lady who “didn’t want to know”, but trusted her doctors to look after her. By the time I found out she was taking amitriptyline, it was probably too late. When I read the leaflet in with the tablets, she had every side-effect there was (for example, constipation, facial swelling, and back pain, all put down to some other cause).
Best wishes for the continuation of your work – even if it is so frighteningly enlightening. – J.H., via e-mail