Elavil is categorized under a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. This drug is used primarily for the treatment of mood disorder s or mental conditions, such as depression. It can enhance the mood, provide relief from tension and anxiety, and improve well-being. Other positive effects of this medication include boosting of energy levels and making people sleep better.
Elavil produces these effects by regulating and maintaining the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin. Aside from depression, it can also be used for the treatment of anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and eating disorders such as bulimia. This drug is also effective for the prevention of migraines and the treatment of nerve problems, including postherpetic neuralgia and peripheral neuropathy.
It is advisable not to use this medication if the person experienced a heart attack recently or is allergic to amitriptyline. Additionally, it is also recommended not to take Elavil if the patient has taken a MAO inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, and rasagiline) or cisapride within the past two weeks, because serious side effects might occur.
Before taking this drug, it is important to inform the physician about health conditions such as, heart problems, glaucoma, diabetes, overactive thyroid, a history of seizures and stroke, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental problems. Elavil is under FDA pregnancy category C, which means that it can cause potential harm to an unborn child. With this, it is important to tell the physician if the patient is pregnant or is breastfeeding because it can also pass into the breast milk.
Some of the common side effects of this drug include, dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness, constipation, problems with urination, dryness of the mouth, and weight gain. However, if these side effects seem to worsen, inform the doctor immediately. Other rare serious side effects that need immediate medical attention include, extreme dizziness, heartburns that are persistent, seizures, muscle spasm, enlarged breasts, bruising, shaking, bleeding, pain in the stomach, black stools, fainting.
