Limbitrol Uses (Cont.)

How Does Limbitrol Work?

Limbitrol, as mentioned, combines amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide. Amitriptyline belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It is not entirely clear how amitriptyline works. The drug does affect several chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. It is thought that perhaps amitriptyline allows these chemicals to stay in the brain longer, which can help with depression symptoms.
 
Chlordiazepoxide is part of a group of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have several different effects on the body, including:
 
  • Stopping seizures
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Causing sleepiness
  • Relaxing muscles
  • Impairing short-term memory.
     
All benzodiazepine can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific medication and the dosage. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain, and this action helps to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
 

Limbitrol Uses in Children

Limbitrol is not approved for use in children or adolescents. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children. As with all antidepressants, Limbitrol may increase the risk of suicide in children and adolescents.
 

Off-Label Limbitrol Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Limbitrol for treating a condition other than depression associated with anxiety. Currently, there are no universally accepted off-label uses for Limbitrol.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;