Generic Name: Amitriptyline
Brand Name: Elavil
This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist

Common Uses:
Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant. How tricyclic antidepressants improve depression symptoms is not fully understood. They are thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help improve mood. Elavil is used for treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use:
Before start taking any new medicine please consult with a doctor.
Elavil comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Elavil refilled. It may be taken with food or on an empty stomach. Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Elavil. Elavil may take up to 30 days to control symptoms of depression. Continue to use Elavil even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Warning and Precautions:
Elavil may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Elavil. Using Elavil alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Elavil. It will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
Elavil may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop in patients taking Elavil . Occurrence is highest among the elderly, especially women. The risk of developing these involuntary movements and the likelihood they will become permanent are increased with long-term use and with high doses. However, it is possible to develop these symptoms after short-term use at low doses. Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occur: involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs.
Elavil may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other ultraviolet light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heatstroke may occur.
Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Elavil may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Elavil closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
Diabetes patients - Elavil may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Elavil.

Important safety information:
Elavil 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 Elavil during pregnancy. Elavil is excreted in the breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Elavil.

Side Effects:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: blurred vision; change in sexual desire or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; weakness.

Overdose:
Symptoms may include flushing, fast or irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, drowsiness, confusion, agitation, enlarged pupils, seizures, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, stupor, mydriasis, hyperpyrexia, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, decreased GI motility, cardiovascular toxicity, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, respiratory depression, cyanosis, shock, diaphoresis, aspiration, ARDS, hyperthermia, hypothermia, polyradiculoneuropathy, muscle rigidity, disorders of ocular motility, vomiting.

Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose of Elavil, 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.

Do not use this medicine:
if you have any allergic reaction to any component of this medicine.

Storage conditions:
Elavil should be kept away from heat, direct light, water, moisture at a room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C). The medicine should be kept in a place unreachable for children.

All information given above is a summary. You must visit your doctor, pharmacies or health care provider can provide more information about this medicine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store medication with end term of storage.