Amitriptyline and Cough

One of my children was given a very low dose of amitriptyline many years ago for migraine. While it did help the migraines, it also caused a cough that interfered with proper sleep and some other activities. Since we had no explanation for it, and cough is listed in the drug-reference materials as a possible side effects, along with about 50 others, we stopped the drug before a major medical evaluation. In a few days, the cough was gone, and came back when the drug was restarted. Of course, we discontinued it, and the cough was gone with it.

Years later I talked with an older gentleman who told me about a bad cough he had been fighting for a year. He had numerous medical tests done, and was scheduled for a repeat bronchoscopy in the following week. I also have found out that he started a low-dose amitriptyline a year ago for a mild neuropathy. I shared our experience with him. He stopped the drug, and called me a few weeks later, profusely thanking me for clearing up his cough and saving him from further medical tests.