Elavil is antidepressant which is designed to heal depression which results from chemical imbalance within the brain. It falls in the category of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. Other than treating depression, this drug can also be used for other purposes.

Those who are allergic to amitriptyline should not take Elavil. If you have had a heart attack sometime back, in this case also this medicine is not recommended. You should not use Elavil together with medicines such as Propulsid Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Emsam and Parnate. If you need to take any of these, use them at least after two weeks of discontinuing  Elavil.

While taking Elavil, you may get negative thoughts like committing suicide. For this reason, you must see your doctor regularly while taking this drug. Particular if the user is less than 24 years old, the chances of such thoughts can be high. In case you notice any changes in mood, anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia, you should seek medical help and speak to your doctor. Some people may also fee irritable, hostile, or restless while others may feel more depressed. In all these cases you need to get in touch with your doctor.

Precautions before taking Elavil

Prior to using Elavil, you need to inform your doctor if you have certain ailments including heart disease, seizures, manic-depression or some other mental ailments. In case if you have diabetes, overactive thyroid glaucoma or urine problems, in this case as well you need to inform your doctor about your condition. This is essential as your doctor may advise you some tests in these conditions or may give you an altered dose of Elavil so that you can use it safely.

As this drug can be detrimental to the well being of the unborn baby, you need to intimate your doctor if you are pregnant. This medicine can also pass into breast milk so you need to avoid taking it if you are breast feeding your baby. In case you ought to take it in this condition, you must speak to your doctor first. It is not advisable for people under 18 years of age to use Elavil without a doctor’s recommendation.

Taking Elavil

You need to Elavil as prescribed by your doctor. It is not recommended to take additional amounts of this drug or to use it for longer than prescribed time. In case you have to have some surgery during the course of this drug, you have to intimate your doctor about taking Elavil. He may advise you to discontinue this drug for sometime.

In case you have to stop Elavil for some reason, you need to speak to your doctor first. This drug should not be stopped at once as that can lead to some side effects.

Elavil will show its effects in about a month’s time. In case your symptoms do not improve for about 4 weeks or so, you need to inform your doctor.

Storing Elavil

You need to keep Elavil at room temperature. Make sue it is not exposed to moisture or heat.

What to do in case to missing a dose or taking over dose?

If you have missed a dose of Elavil, you can take it as soon as you recall. However, if much time has lapsed and it is time to take the next dose, you can miss the previous dose and take that one. There is no need to take addition dose or more medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

In case of overdose of Elavil, you must take emergency medical help. Bear in mind that the overdose of Elavil may prove to be fatal so be very careful in this regard. If you notice symptoms such as uneven heartbeats, severe drowsiness, confusion and agitation, you ought to seek medication attention at once. In case you experience vomiting, blurred vision, sweating, muscle stiffness, or fainting in this case as well, you need to take medical help without wasting any time.

Things to avoid while using Elavil

While using Elavil, you need to avoid taking alcohol as it can lead to serious side effects. Grapefruit/grapefruit juice can also interact with this drug so you need to speak to your doctor if you have to take it while using Elavil.

You should avoid driving while using Elavil as it can impair your thinking. You should also stay away from sunlight or artificial UV rays as Elavil can make your skin additionally vulnerable to sunlight. You should use sunscreen and wear protective apparel in case you have to go out during the day.

Mild and severe side effects of Elavil

Like all drugs, Elavil may also have some side effects. In case you experience allergic reactions, hives, trouble in breathing or see some kind of swelling on our face or throat you need to speak to your doctor immediately. In case of changes in mood, anxiety, insomnia or panic attacks as well you need to get emergency medical aid. Some people may feel irritable, aggressive, or restless, while other may feel or anxiety.

Some people also undergo more serious side effects such as uneven heart rate, chest pain, body pain nausea or sweating. You may also feel weak, have headache, confusion or have issues with your vision, or speech. Other serious side effects include hallucinations, fainting, uncontrollable tremor, skin rash, numbness, easy bruising or extreme thirst together with headache. In all these conditions, you need to take emergency medical assistance.

There can be mild side effects of Elavil as well. These may include nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea or dry mouth. Some may also feel unpleasant taste in their mouth, dizziness, lethargy, issues with concentration, headache, or breast swelling or lessened sex drive.

There can be other side effects of Elavil besides all these listed here.