Drug Name

Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Drug Uses

Elavil is used to elevate the mood of patients with depression. Elavil is also a sedative, and is useful in depressed patients with insomnia, restlessness, and nervousness. It has also been found to be helpful for treating fibromyalgia and symptoms, related to chronic pain.

How Taken

Elavil may be taken with or without food. Elavil is metabolized by the liver and should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Elavil is an antidepressant medication. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In some patients with depression, abnormal levels of brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters may relate to their depression. Elavil elevates mood by raising the level of neurotransmitters in brain tissue.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you take 1 dose daily at bedtime, do not take the missed dose next morning.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from heat and sunlight.

Warnings/Precautions

After you start using this medicine, several weeks may pass before you feel the full benefit. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Additional monitoring of your condition is recommended at the start of treatment with this medicine and whenever a change to your dose is made. If you experience anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsive feelings, severe restlessness, or worsening of depression, contact your doctor as soon as possible. These may be signs that your condition is worsening or that your treatment with this medicine should be evaluated. If you are a parent or caregiver of a patient that is taking this medicine, it is important for you to watch for these symptoms daily. Contact the doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Contact your doctor for more information. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Limit your alcohol consumption while you are taking this medicine. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase dizziness. To prevent dizziness or fainting, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness or weakness. This medicine may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heatstroke may occur. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Caution is advised when using this medicine in children or adolescent patients because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. For women: this medicine has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, diarrhea, excess sweating, heartburn, unpleasant taste, weight gain, or an increased appetite especially for sweets. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience constipation; blurred vision or other vision changes; eye pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hair loss; shakiness; fainting; twitching of the face or tongue; mood swings; loss of balance; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs or stiffness; difficulty in speaking and swallowing; unusual bleeding or bruising; sore throat or fever; skin rash and itching; swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; irritability; ringing in the ears; seizures; yellowing of the skin or eyes; hallucinations; or chest pain. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe nervousness or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feelings of irritability or hostility, impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior, severe restlessness, worsening feelings of depression, thoughts of hurting yourself, or any other mental or mood changes. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects, not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

More Information

If your symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine for 4 weeks, inform your doctor. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.