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:
- 2009-Nov-20 9:19 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 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*
- 1,743,000
- 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 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.org is currently tracking more than 10,200 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 | 34% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 23% | 
|
| Depression | 15% |
|
| Pain | 14% |
|
| Anxiety | 12% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 8% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 5% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 4% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 4% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 4% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 2% |
|
| Other | 14% |
|
How well does Elavil work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,200 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)
- 75%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Elavil outweigh the bad things.
- 27%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Elavil.
Common Side Effects of Elavil
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,200 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.
49% of patients experience side-effects on Elavil
9% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Elavil
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Dry Mouth
-
Weight Gain
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Headache
-
Dryness
-
Fatigue
-
Vivid Dreams
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Dizziness, Heartburn/Reflux, Increased Appetite, Loss of Libido, Nausea, Palpitations, Rebound Insomnia, Restlessness, Sweating
Global Patient Feedback for Elavil (Amitriptyline) ( Post a comment )
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
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-20 16:26:49
Question/Comment:
I was just prescribed 25 mg Amitriptyline for constant occipital pain (my MD says migraine, i disagree). I haven't started taking it yet, I am trying to do some research first. I'm concerned about the grogginess in the am. I'm an RN in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and there is no way i can go to work and be in slow-motion. I've seen so many comments about taking it a few hours before bed, but some days I don't get home until 9pm and still need to eat dinner and wind down and then be up at 5am. Therefore I don't think i would take it on the nights before i work (3 times a week). But would it be harmful to miss that many doses? I want so badly for the pain to stop and to have a normal life again, but im afraid these side effects won't be compatible with my life style. I know its not supposed to be taken with alcohol either, and this also concerns me because i am young and social and although i don't drink much i do like to have beers while watching football or wine when i'm out to dinner. My MD really thinks this is going to help me, and I am so eager for it to work but i'm so afraid to start taking it. Any help??
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-17 13:58:32
Question/Comment:
Hi I just started taking celexa for anxiety about a month ago and have been having a problem sleeping due to pain of lupus and fibromyalsia. The doctor wants me to take 10mg of amitriptyline at night to help with sleep. I read it can cause serotonin syndrom. I would be taking a very low does but don't want to do anything that is going to cause a problem. Anybody out there no anything about a reaction?
40 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-29 19:12:06
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Both Celexa and Amitriptyline work by increasing serotonin levels in your body. Serotonin is needed for your nerve cells and brain to function normally. These two drugs are often prescribed together to help with various mood and anxiety problems. Often doctors will prescribe Amitriptyline for a short period of time to help with sleep while working with counseling therapy and adjusting the antidepressant to find the right dose to help with the depression or anxiety.
Serotonin syndrome is a rare condition of high levels of serotonin in your body. Some symptoms of serotonin syndrome include mental changes, like irritability, confusion, and hallucinations. Serotonin syndrome can also cause changes in heart rate, shivering, tremor, rigidity, cramping, nausea, vomiting and or diarrhea. You can reduce your risk of serotonin syndrome by taking the lowest dose possible of Celexa and Amitriptyline that controls your anxiety symptoms.
Many people take Celexa and Amitriptyline together and do not experience Serotonin Syndrome. However, you should aware of the symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome and seek medical attention immediately if any of them occur.
Posted: 2009-11-03 13:09:28
Question/Comment:
Started Elavil 50 mg July 09 for migraine. No real side effects to speak of. October 09 went for follow-up. BP was 160/100. Never had elevated BP before. Am 48, non-smoker, not overweight, exercise. Only change since July is Elavil. Monitoring my BP at home since appt and it has been high every time. High pulse also. Slowly weaning myself from Elavil. Not convinced doc believes Elavil to be cause of sudden high BP, but what else explains jump from normal BP to high BP in three months?
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-29 09:36:29
Question/Comment:
I am bi-polor, and I have been taking lithium carb. 3x time a day @ 300mg; wellburtin 2x a day @ 100mg; trazadone at a night, that is supposed to help me sleep. It does not. I have even taken sleeping pills sometimes 3 or 4 at a time, still can't fall asleep that easily. I now been having severe headaches because the lack of sleep has finally caught up with me. I have been taking these meds for month in a half. Does anybody have any suggestions???
35 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-02 01:48:55
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You have a complex medication profile and adding additional drugs for sleep control should be managed by your doctor. Your doctor has a full knowledge of your medical conditions and can recommend the best agent for you that will minimize drug interactions. You may also want to ask your doctor about non-medicine approaches to falling asleep - sometimes counseling provides tips on how to lessen the anxiety people feel when they can't fall asleep. You may also want to create a calm sleeping environment, try relaxation or visualization techniques, and remove any stimulus like television or computers before trying to go to sleep.
Posted: 2009-11-03 14:02:30
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.
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Patient Comments about
Elavil