Drug Uses

Elavil is an antidepressant drug used to relieve symptoms of depression. The symptoms of endogenous depression are more likely to be relieved than the symptoms of other depressive conditions.

How Taken

Elavil is available as tablets that should be taken orally. The common dosage is one to four tablets a day taken with or without food. The medicine should be taken exactly as directed. Do not take more or less tablets and do not take it more often that prescribed. Do not stop using Elavil even if you better. Do not discontinue the usage of Elavil without a consultation with your doctor. Your dosage may have to be gradually reduces before you stop taking the medicine completely. Elavil should be taken regularly for a period of few weeks before it has a full effect.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Elavil, inform your doctor in case you have 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; or glaucoma. You may not been able to use Diflucan or your dosage may have to be adjusted, or you may have to be monitored during the treatment if you suffer from any of the above mentioned medical conditions. Do not use Elavil if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during the treatment because the medicine may harm a fetus. Also, consult your doctor before taking Elavil in case you are breast feeding because the medicine passes into breast mil and may affect a nursing infant. Patients older than 60 years of age may be more likely to have adverse effects like drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated and low blood pressure. In such cases your doctor may reduce your dosage.

Missed Dose

In case you miss a dose, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. However, if it is already time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and take the regular dose. Do not take a double dose to catch up the missed one.

Possible Side Effects

Adverse effects cannot be anticipated. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any side effects or if their intensity changes. Your doctor would decide if it is sage for you to continue using Elavil. Older patients are more likely to develop side effect among which are rapid heartbeat, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, sedation, and confusion, and are in greater danger of sustaining a fall. Adverse effects caused by Elavil 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. A sudden discontinuation or reduction of the dosage may cause headache, nausea, vague feeling of bodily discomfort. Gradual reduction of the dosage may make you experience dream and sleep disturbances, irritability, and restlessness.

Storage

Elavil should be stored in a tightly-closed container and at temperature under 30°C (86°F). Elavil tablets of 10 mg should be kept away from light and stored in a tightly-closed, light-resistant container.

Overdose

Very serious and critical symptoms of an overdose of Elavil may include cardiac dysrhythmias, severe hypotension, convulsions, and CNS depression, including coma. Changes in the electrocardiogram, particularly in QRS axis or width, indicate tricyclic antidepressant toxicity. An overdose of Elavil may be also signaled by 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. Overdoses of this group of drugs may cause death.

More Information

Be cautious when you drive, operate machinery or perform other dangerous activities because Elavil may cause dizziness, drowsiness. Avoid the above-mentioned activities if you experience dizziness, drowsiness. Dizziness may also occur when you change your position from sitting to lying. Rise slowly to avoid the dizziness and a possible fall. Be careful with the usage of alcohol as it may enhance the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Effexor XR. Do not discontinue the usage of Elavil abruptly. A sudden discontinuation of Elavil may cause nausea, headache, and malaise.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. 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. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, 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 information.