Get Informed: Elavil
Active Ingredient(s)
Amitriptyline
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of depression. Its mechanism of action is not well understood.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 10:05 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Amitriptyline
- Elavil
- Amitriptyline HCl
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children and adolescents with depression.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 07 Apr 1961
- Est US Patients*
- 1,661,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Elavil or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Elavil
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Elavil during the past year.
Elavil Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Elavil used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 11,000 patients that use Elavil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia | 37% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 33% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 25% | 
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 21% |
|
| Depression | 17% |
|
| Anxiety | 15% |
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 15% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 11% |
|
| Pain-Generalized | 11% |
|
| Irritable Bowel | 5% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 2% |
|
| Other | 4% | 
|
How well does Elavil work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,000 users taking Elavil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Elavil outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Elavil.
Common Side Effects of Elavil
iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,000 users taking Elavil (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
36% of patients experience side-effects on Elavil
7% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Elavil
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dryness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Weight Gain
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Increased Appetite
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Diarrhea, Hallucinations, Tics/Twitches
Global Patient Feedback for Elavil (Amitriptyline) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Amitriptyline 25 mg. has greatly improved my getting a good night's sleep. Fabulous drug. Very few side effects.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-08 19:58:59
Answer/Reply:
My doctor prescribed Amitriptyline 25 mg. for my fibro syndrome (brought about by an anti-cancer side effect) and it works wonderfully well. The doctor suggested that I could upgrade the dose as needed. I find that when I take 25 mg. and 1/2 tablet, it works even better for bedtime. There have been a few times I tried 50 mg. -- again terrific results...no pain, awake refreshed, focused, and my mood elevates to a joyful attitude.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 19:42:10
Question/Comment:
I have neuropathis pain in my feet and I now take AmAmitriptyline before I go to bed as it helps me to sleep and I also awaken with less foot pain in the morning. Less foot pain may be a natural improvement without meds at night, I'm not sure. But I do know the meds definitely help me sleep much better. I take it 3-5 times a week in the evening.
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-31 16:50:11
Answer/Reply:
Consistency is the key with Amitriptyline...it works wonderfully well. Less foot pain at night is a great relief.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 19:44:18
Question/Comment:
I SUFFER WITH OSTEOARTHIRITIS, OSTEOPOROSIS & LOADS OF OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. I WAS FIRST PUT ON MORPHINE 50MG TWICE A DAY. THEN MY GP PRESCRIBED WITH AMITRIPTYLINE 60MG AT NIGHT IAM SO GLAD MY GP PRESCRIBED THESE TABLETS AS IT HELPS ME TO SLEEP AS BEFORE I WASNT SLEEPING AT ALL WITH ALL THE PAIN EVEN THOUGH I WAS ON A HIGH DOSE OF MORPHINE. IAM LOTS OF DIFFERENT TABLETS AS I HAVE MULTIPLE ILLNESSESS.
44 year old – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-03 08:55:02
Question/Comment:
i have been bounced around on anti depressants for years and i've been on 40mg of Celexa daily for about 18 months and it was doing okay until about 3 months ago and all i wanted to do was sit in bed and cry.. i just got in with my dr about a week ago and she added elavil to my celexa... uhm... i really dont feel like going through serotonin syndrome.. i'm messed up enough as it is! ugh! why are some doctors fuckin retarded?! and thyroid problems run in my family... i'm borderline hypo-thyroid..
19 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-19 22:20:57
Question/Comment:
i take amitriptilene 50mgs i am having a hard time, i am crying and head is drawing withe tension, and i am irritable, i take 60mgs of cymbalta and benicar and .05 of lorzapam i am depressed bad , my husband has been laid off of his job, we are having it bad
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-20 16:26:49
iGuard Answer/Reply:
You need to talk to the doctor that prescribed your medications to discuss your feelings and symptoms. Unfortunately, given the current economy, you are not alone in the stress you are facing with your husband being laid off. While it is possible that you are having side effects to the medications, when you have the amount of stress that you currently have, it is best to discuss how you feel with your doctor. You may also want to ask your doctor about counseling treatment or if there are any support groups in your area - talking about your problems and worries can help as well.
Posted: 2009-11-23 23:01:29
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
144
Patient Comments about
Elavil