Elavil

Elavil General Information

Generic Name: Amitriptyline

Brand name: Elavil

Elavil is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants that affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. Elavil treats symptoms of depression. Elavil may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Elavel should not be taken if the patient is allergic to Amitriptyline or the person concerned is taking an inhibitor MAOI (monoamine oxidize inhibitor). When a person first start taking an antidepressant in an young age especially less than 24 years of age, the doctor will have to check the patient at regular interval during the first 2 weeks of the total 12.weeks treatment.

The doctor should be called if the patient develops any worsening symptoms such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic, sleeping trouble, irritable, impulsive, hostile, restless, hyperactive, and may have thoughts about committing suicide or hurting oneself.

Elavil Uses

If the patient had a heart attack sometime back or is allergic to Amitriptyline, he should not take Elavil. One who has taken MAOI or have taken cisapride within the past 14 days should not use this medication. Serious life threatening side effects may occur ifElavil is taken before the MAO inhibitor got cleared from the body system and that has been found to take 14days time to be safe. Before taking Elavil, the doctor to be told whether the patient is allergic to any drug or having any of the following: heat disease, bipolar disorder, mental illness, diabetes, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, urination problem. Presence of any of these conditions, need dose adjustment of the medication or special test for safe use of Elavil.. The doctor should be told how frequently the mood didchange during first few weeks of treatment,when the worsening symptoms of depression engulfs everybody including the family members of the patient. During this phase, the patient even try to commit suicide. During this phase care givers and family members have to be extremely careful alert about the change in mood or symptoms of the patient. Effexor is harmful to an unborn baby especially if the mother takes the medication during the third trimester. Pregnancy and any plan to become pregnant must be told to the doctor. Effexor may pass into breast milk. So, breast feeding mother should not use this medication without informing the doctor about the same.This medication should not be given without doctor's advice if anyone is less than 18 years old.

How Take Elavil

Effexor must be taken as prescribedby the doctor. This medication should not be taken in large quantity nor the time of application or use prolonged than what is stipulated by the doctor. Directions on the prescription label should be followed.

If any surgery has to be performed, the doctor should be told that the patient is taking Elavil and may be the medication has to be stopped for a short while.

Elavil should not be stopped without the advice of the doctor. One must use the medication less and less gradually before stopping the same completely. Sudden stoppage of this medication may cause unpleasant side effects. It may take up to 4 weeks of use of this medication that any symptoms may improve. But, if there is no improvement even after 4 weeks -the doctor need to be told

Elavil Warnings

Alcohol increases side effects of Elavil and should be avoided. Since this medication is likely to cause some impairment in thinking and affect reflexes. One should be very careful in driving or any other work that needs awakening or alertness. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Elavil. Doctor's advice may be taken for increasing or decreasing the quantum of grapefruit in the diet.

Exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays to be avoided. This medication makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight and may cause sunburn easily. Protective clothing or sunscreen to be used when out in the sun.

Elavil Missed Dose

Missed dose as soon as remembered be taken.But, if it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose may be skipped and the next schedule dose must be taken. No extra dose to be taken to compensate the missed dose.

Elavil Side Effects

Emergency medical help must be sought in case of the following allergic reactions are noticed or felt: breathing difficulty, hive, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat. Amitriptyline use should be stopped and the Doctor should be informed if the patient has any new symptoms like: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacktrouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania, thoughts of suicide or hurting oneself

Doctor has to be called in case the following side effects are noticed or experienced:

• Uneven, pounding, fast heart rate, chest pain, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Restless muscle movements in the eyes, tongue, jaw or neck, uncontrollable tremor
• Nausea, sweating, vomiting, pain spreading to arm and shoulder, general ill feeling unsteady
• Skin rash, severe tingling, numbness, extreme thirst
• Headache, weakness, trouble concentrating, memory problems, fainting, seizures
• Less or no urination

There may be less serious side effects like dry mouth and dry eyes, blurred vision, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, less appetite, nightmares, breast swelling both in men or women. However, this is not a complete list of side effects and there may be others that may occur

Elavil Storage Advice

Elavil should be stored in room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Elavil Overdose

An overdose of Elavil can be fatal.

Immediate medical attention is required if any overdose of Elavil has been taken.

Symptoms of overdose may include uneven heartbeat, extreme drowsiness, confusion, agitation, blurred vision, vomiting, feeling hot or cold, sweating, fainting, seizure, coma.

Elavil More Information

The pharmacist can be the source of more information about Elavil since he or she has the additional information about Elavil written for health professional which may turn out to be a source of additional information. Additional care must be taken to keep the medicines out of reach from children, never share the medicine with others and use the medication only for the indication prescribed.