Taking Elavil

The Generic Name for Elavil is: Amitriptyline. (a mee TRIP ti leen)
It is sold under the brand names: Elavil as well as Adapin, Asendin, Aventyl, En dep, Norpramin, Pamelor, Sinequan, Surmontil, Tofranil and Vivactil

Uses for the prescription drug Etlavil

Elavil is most often indicated to relieve the symptoms of depression. Endogenous depression is more likely to be alleviated than are other common depressive states.

How Elavil is Taken

Elavil is a tablet that you take in the mouth. It is usually prescribed to be taken between one to four times a day and may be taken either with or without food. As with any prescription drug, take your Elavil exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than your doctor prescribes, and continue to take your Elavil even if you feel well. It is important not to stop taking Elavil without first talking to your doctor, especially if you have been on large doses of Elavil for a long time. Your doctor probably will almost certainly direct you to decrease your dosage gradually over a set period of time. Before you will feel the full effect of taking Elavil, you will have to take it regularly as prescribed for a few weeks.

Warnings/Precautions about Elavil

Before taking Elavil, tell your doctor if you have any of the following ailments:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• asthma;
• thyroid disease;
• diabetes;
• stomach or intestinal problems;
• high blood pressure or heart disease;
• had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks;
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
• glaucoma

You may not be able to take Elavil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. If you are pregnant, Elavil may be harmful to your unborn baby. For this reason, do not take Elavil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. As with many drugs, Elavil passes directly into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, so do not take Elavil without discussing it with your doctor first if you are breast-feeding.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated and low blood pressure. For this reason your doctor may order a lower dose of Elavil for you.

If you have Missed a Dose of Elavil

As soon as you remember the missed dose take your usual dose. If it is almost time for the next dose in your schedule, skip the one you missed and take the next one as you normally would. Be sure not not take a double dose of Elavil unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Possible Side Effects of Elavil & Elavil Warnings

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Elavil. Older adults are especially liable to certain side effects of Elavil, including rapid heartbeat, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, sedation, and confusion, and are in greater danger of sustaining a fall. Side effects may include: Abnormal movements, anxiety, black tongue, blurred vision, breast development in males, breast enlargement, coma, confusion, constipation, delusions, diarrhea, difficult or frequent urination, difficulty in speech, dilation of pupils, disorientation, disturbed concentration, dizziness on getting up, dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive or spontaneous flow of milk, excitement, fatigue, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headache, heart attack, hepatitis, high blood pressure, high fever, high or low blood sugar, hives, impotence, inability to sleep, increased or decreased sex drive, increased perspiration, increased pressure within the eye, inflammation of the mouth, intestinal obstruction, irregular heartbeat, lack or loss of coordination, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, nausea, nightmares, numbness, rapid and/or fast, fluttery heartbeat, rash, red or purple spots on skin, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizures, sensitivity to light, stomach upset, strange taste, stroke, swelling due to fluid retention in the face and tongue, swelling of testicles, swollen glands, tingling and pins and needles in the arms and legs, tremors, vomiting, weakness, weight gain or loss, yellowed eyes and skin. Side effects due to rapid decrease or abrupt withdrawal from Elavil include: Headache, nausea, vague feeling of bodily discomfort Side effects due to gradual dosage reduction may include: Dream and sleep disturbances, irritability, and restlessness.

Storage of Elavil

Store Elavil tablets in a closed container in a safe place. Avoid storage at temperatures above 30°C (86°F). In addition, your Elavil tablets 10 mg must be protected from light and stored in a securly-closed, light-resistant container away from children.

What to do if you Overdose on Elavil

Critical manifestations of overdose include: cardiac dysrhythmias, severe hypotension, convulsions, and CNS depression, including coma. Changes in the electrocardiogram, particularly in QRS axis or width, are clinically significant indictors of tricyclic antidepressant toxicity. Other signs of overdose may include: impaired myocardial contractility, confusion, disturbed concentration, transient visual hallucinations, and dilated pupils, disorders of ocular motility, agitation, hyperactive reflexes, stupor, drowsiness, muscle rigidity, vomiting, hypothermia, and hyperpyrexia. Deaths may occur from over dosage with this class of drugs.

More Information about taking Elavil

Some common misspellings and typos for Elavil include: elavil, leavil, eravil, elavir, leavir, eravir, e1av11, elav1l, elavli, elaivl, elvail, ealvil, elavi, elavl, elail, elvil, eavil and lavil

Disclaimer on Elavil

This information about Elavil is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses for Elavil, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your prescription of Elavil. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient taking Elavil. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information about Elavil, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this free information.