Elavil

Brand names: Amitriptyline, Elavil, Tryptizol, Endep

What is Elavil?
Elavil is a popular medicine that is known as a tricyclic antidepressant. It lessens signs of migraine headaches, bulimia (an eating disorder), pathological weeping and laughing (associated with multiple sclerosis) and mental depression. Consult your health care professional or pharmacist for more information about the beneficial effects of this product.

What important information should I know about Elavil?
Elavil may make you dizzy or deteriorate your coordination. Be very careful about operating machinery, climbing, driving or doing perilous tasks until you know how you react to this medicine. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause dangerous side effects when taken together with Elavil. Do not use this medicament if you are taking a type of medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI): moclobemide, linezolid, tranylcypromine, selegiline, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, procarbazine, rasagiline. Continue to take this medication until the end of the cure corse, even if you start to feel better. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Always make known to a health care professional before giving Elavil to a child.

What should I tell my doctor before I take this drug?
Your health care professional has to know about:

• seizures or epilepsy
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression)
• asthma
• pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
• glaucoma
• liver or kidney disease
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating
• thyroid disease
• heart disorders, heart attack, stroke, or seizures
• stomach or intestinal problems
• any allergies.

How to take Elavil?
Elavil comes in the tablet form to take orally. It should be taken one to four times a day, at regular intervals. Elavil is usually accompanied by a full glass of water. It is better to drink several glasses of water each day while you are taking Elavil to protect your kidneys. You may take it either with or without food. In order to lighten stomach irritation and help your body absorb the drug is desirable to combine with meals. The tabs should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, chew or open them. The amount of Elavil is based on individuals and response to cure. It is obviously to ask your health care professional before to take Elavil. Follow your medic instructions strictly.

What should you do if you miss a dose of Elavil?
If you forget to take a dosage of Elavil, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

What should you do if you overdose of Elavil?
Taking any medicine in excess you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, make known to your health care provider straightway.
In large doses, Elavil may may cause vomiting, sweating, confusion, feeling hot or cold, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), blurred vision, uneven heartbeats, coma, agitation, muscle stiffness or extreme drowsiness.

What drug(s) may interact with Elavil?

• Flecainide (Tambocor)
• Barbiturates (Amobarbital (Amytal), Butalbital (Fioricet, Fiorinal), Pentobarbital (Nembutal), Phenobarbital (Luminal), Secobarbital (Seconal)
• Anticholinergic medications (Atropine, Belladonna (Donnatal, B&O Supprettes, Bellamine S), Benztropine (Cogentin), Clidinium (Librax), Clozapine (Clozaril), Darifenacin (Enablex), Dicyclomine (Bentyl), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM), Glycopyrrolate (Robinul)) Fluphenazine (Prolixin), Perphenazine, Promethazine (Phenergan), Thioridazine (Mellaril), Trifluoperazine)
• Pressors
• Phenothiazine medications (Chlorpromazine
• SSRI antidepressants (Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Thyroid medications
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Cisapride (Propulsid)
• Quinidine
• Propafenone (Rythmol).

This is not a finished list of interactions. Detail information you may receive at your medical practitioner.
Discuss with your health care professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What side-effects may occur?

• Difficulty urinating (urinary retention), diarrhea
• Liver problems, yellowing eyes, skin
• Fever with increased sweating
• Mental, mood changes (e.g., loss of contact with reality, restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Problems with breathing, chest pain
• Indigestion, or upset stomach, bloating, stomach gas, pain or cramps
• Numbness, tingling in your hands or feet (tremor), muscle stiffness, or spasms
• Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Loss of appetite
• Headache, dizziness, ringing in your ears or hearing loss
• Allergic reaction ( skin rash or swelling; itching; swelling of your face, tongue, lips or throat; hives; difficulty breathing).

If these persist or worsen, advise your medic instantly. This is not a whole list of side effects and others may occur. If you feel other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How should Elavil be stored?
Elavil should be stored at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F), in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep medicament out of the reach of children and away from pets.