Elavil is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Elavil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Elavil is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Elavil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Elavil?

Do not use Elavil if you are allergic to amitriptyline, or if you have recently had a heart attack. Do not use Elavil if you have taken cisapride (Propulsid) or used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Elavil?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Elavil, or if you have recently had a heart attack. Do not use Elavil if you have taken cisapride (Propulsid) or used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Elavil before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.Before taking Elavil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);
• schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• diabetes (Elavil may raise or lower blood sugar);
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Elavil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. Elavil may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Elavil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Elavil without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Elavil to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take Elavil?

Take Elavil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Elavil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using Elavil without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping this medication suddenly could cause you to have unpleasant side effects. It may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Store Elavil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Elavil can be fatal.Symptoms of an Elavil overdose may include uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, confusion, agitation, vomiting, blurred vision, feeling hot or cold, sweating, muscle stiffness, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

Elavil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate, chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• hallucinations, or seizures (convulsions), feeling light-headed, fainting;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck, uncontrollable shaking or tremor;
• skin rash, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• dry mouth, unpleasant taste;
• feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
• trouble concentrating;
• nightmares;
• blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;
• breast swelling (in men or women); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about Elavil written for health professionals that you may read.

Elavil

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