elavil
Amitriptyline (a mee TRIP ti leen)Elavil, Endep, Vanatrip
What is the most important information I should know about Elavil?
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do notstop taking Elavil without first talking to your doctor elavil.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities elavil. Elavil may cause drowsiness or dizziness elavil. If you experience drowsinessor dizziness, avoid these activities elavil.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position elavil. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall elavil.
• Use alcohol cautiously elavil. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking Elavil elavil.
What is Elavil?
• Elavil is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants elavil. Elavilaffects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression elavil.
• Elavil is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings ofsadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changesin appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death orsuicide elavil. Elavil is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain elavil.
• Elavil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide elavil.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Elavil?
• Do not take Elavil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor suchas isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)within the last 14 days elavil.
• Before taking Elavil, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease;
· kidney disease;
· asthma;
· thyroid disease;
· diabetes;
· stomach or intestinal problems;
· high blood pressure or heart disease;
· had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks;
· an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
· glaucoma elavil.
• You may not be able to take Elavil, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove elavil.
• Elavil may be harmful to an unborn baby elavil. Do not take Elavil without firsttalking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment elavil.
• Elavil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby elavil. Do nottake Elavil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding ababy elavil.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated,and low blood pressure elavil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication elavil.
How should I take Elavil?
• Take Elavil exactly as directed by your doctor elavil. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you elavil.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water elavil.
• Elavil may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usuallyat bedtime) elavil. Follow your doctor's instructions elavil.
• Do not stop taking Elavil suddenly elavil. This could cause symptoms such asnausea, headache, and malaise elavil.
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do notstop taking Elavil without first talking to your doctor elavil.
• Store Elavil at room temperature away from moisture and heat elavil.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember elavil. If it is almost time forthe next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next oneas directed elavil. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directedby your doctor elavil.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention elavil.
• Symptoms of an Elavil overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness,agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting) elavil.
What should I avoid while taking Elavil?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities elavil. Elavil may cause drowsiness or dizziness elavil. If you experience drowsinessor dizziness, avoid these activities elavil.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position elavil. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall elavil.
• Use alcohol cautiously elavil. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking Elavil elavil.
• Do not stop taking Elavil suddenly elavil. This could cause symptoms such asnausea, headache, and malaise elavil.
What are the possible side effects of Elavil?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingElavil and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· seizures;
· a fast or irregular heartbeat;
· a heart attack;
· high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache);
· difficulty urinating; or
· fever with increased sweating, muscle stiffness, or severe muscle weakness elavil.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur elavil. Continueto take Elavil and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness or dizziness;
· dry mouth and eyes;
· constipation;
· mild tremor;
· sweating;
· mild agitation, weakness, or headache;
· ringing in the ears;
· nausea; or
· loss of weight or appetite elavil.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur elavil. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome elavil.
What other drugs will affect Elavil?
• Do not take Elavil if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor suchas isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)within the last 14 days elavil.
• Elavil may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness,including other antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used totreat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants elavil. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any otherprescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor elavil.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Elavil elavil. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products elavil.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Elavil written for healthprofessionals that you may read elavil.
|
