Evigrade
Moderate

Amitriptyline × Quetiapine

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)×Atypical antipsychotics

Mechanism

Additive anticholinergic and QT effects. Both are sedating and orthostatically active. In older patients, cumulative anticholinergic burden raises delirium risk.

Symptoms

Dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, accommodation disturbance, tachycardia. In older patients: delirium and confusion risk. Postural dizziness, syncope, fatigue. Older patients: fall and fracture risk. Pronounced morning sedation possible.

Management

Avoid in older patients — delirium and fall risk. In bipolar disorder with chronic pain, alternatives: lamotrigine (a non-sedating mood stabiliser) with gabapentin or pregabalin. If unavoidable (severe insomnia, migraine), begin both at minimum doses and check ECG at 2 weeks.

Sources

All interactions