Does amitriptyline help you achieve stage 4 sleep ?

Not necessarily: There isn't much data in regards to tricyclic medications like amitriptyline and sleep. But while it might allow you to get to sleep, it appears to decrease stage 4 and REM sleep and how long it takes to get to REM sleep. Not great but inefficient sleep is still better than no sleep.

Not proven: Amitriptyline is classified as an antidepressant drug; It is not cassified as a sleeping pill; However some people who suffer from major depression and have insomnia can benefit from this antidepressant due to its sedative effects taken at bedtime it may improve sleep; This medicine has many side effects and new antidepressants are available with the same effectiveness and fewer side effects;

Reduces REM sleep: Studies have demonstrated reduced REM sleep due to amitriptyline. If you're taking amitriptyline for depression, pain, or headaches and it's helping, then there may not be any need to change the medication. See you prescribing physician to discuss before making any medication changes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2284326 , http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/216045