Elavil Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Elavil is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of mental depression. It is of a member of the group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. It may also be used to treat chronic pain and other conditions as determined by your doctor. It works by affecting the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.

Elavil Dosage

• Take this medicine as directed by your physician.
• Amitriptyline is taken orally and can be taken with or without food.
• Dosing varies widely with this medicine depending on the condition that it is being prescribed for.
• Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without consulting with your doctor.
• The usual starting dosage is 75 milligrams per day divided into 2 or more smaller doses. Your doctor may also increase your dosage to 150 milligrams per day.

Uses of Elavil

• Elavil is used to relieve symptoms of depression including feelings of sadness, worthlessness, loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; sleeping too much; and thoughts of death or suicide.
• Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat chronic pain, eating disorders, and certain skin problems.

Side Effects of Elavil

Amitriptyline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• drowsiness
• weakness or tiredness
• excitement or anxiety
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• nightmares
• restlessness
• headaches
• dry mouth
• constipation
• changes in sex drive or ability
• excessive sweating
• changes in appetite or weight
• confusion
• unsteadiness
• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• crushing chest pain rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• severe skin rash or hives
• swelling of the face and tongue
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• fainting
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• seizures

Warnings and precautions before taking Elavil:

• Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amitriptyline, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
• Do not use Elavil if you have taken cisapride or used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

Drug Interaction :-

Amitriptyline may block the antihypertensive action of guanethidine or similarly acting compounds. When amitriptyline HCl is given with anticholinergic agents or sympathomimetic drugs, including epinephrine combined with local anesthetics, close supervision and careful adjustment of dosages are required.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include:

severe dizziness, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, fainting, widened pupils, muscle stiffness, seizures.