Depression is one of the dreadful diseases, which can affect your body, soul, mind and even your thoughts. It makes the person very sad and gloomy and the entire world seems to be out of one’s reach. There’s complete loss of concentration and the patient ends up doing some mishaps, blunders or even suicidal attempts etc. In short, the patient looses his ability in any kind of work and is simply rolling on the ‘Worrying Chair’ which lands nowhere.

It is very necessary that the patients suffering from depression needs immediate treatment or else it may be too late in such cases as no one can guarantee which step the patient may take. Hence, a keen observation and control on such patients is essential. These patients are often treated with some medicines. We have to be very sure that, which medicine can give us the best help in treating such disorders. Elavil i.e. Amitriptyline is one such medicine.

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication i.e. it’s a mood elevator used to get rid from depression. In some patients with depression abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters may relate to their depression. Amitriptyline elevates mood by raising the level of neurotransmitters in brain tissue. Amitriptyline is also a sedative and is useful in depressed patients with insomnia restlessness and nervousness. It has also been found to be helpful for treating fibromyalgia and symptoms related to chronic pain. Hence, it is one of the trusted drug to wipe out depression from life.

Amitriptyline should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Amitriptyline may be taken with or without food. Amitriptyline is metabolized by the liver and should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction. If you wish to use this medication for children, please contact your pediatrician. During the course, please avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages strictly.

Sometimes troublesome side effects include fast heart rate, blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain or loss and low blood pressure on standing. Rashes, hives, seizures and hepatitis are rare side effects.

If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood or changes in the sense of smell taste etc. Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.

Some more symptoms can be observed such as, frequent urination, blurred vision, changes in sex drive or ability, constipation, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, difficulty in urinating, irregular heartbeat, jaw, neck, back muscle spasms, persistent fine tremors, inability to sit still, severe skin rash, shuffling walk, slow and difficult speech, yellowing of the skin and eyes, , excessive sweating , fever etc.

Therefore it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued.

Amitriptyline should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs. High fever convulsions and even death can occur when these two drugs are used together. Epinephrine should not be used with amitriptyline since together they can cause severe high blood pressure. Amitriptyline is used with caution in patients with seizures since it can increase the risk of seizures. Amitriptyline is used with caution in patients with prostate enlargement because of risk of urine retention. Amitriptyline can cause elevated pressure in the eyes of certain patients with glaucoma.

Alcohol blocks the antidepressant action of amitriptyline but increases its sedative effect. Amitriptyline can aggravate paranoid symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and increase symptoms of mania in patients with manic-depressive disease. Cimetidine Tagamet can increase blood levels of Amitriptyline and its side effects. Overdose with amitriptyline can cause life threatening abnormal heart rhythms. The sedative effect of the medication can possibly impair the mental and physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery.

So, do not forget to inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form. And also let your doctor know, if you are intaking any other medication you may be taking in any other form. These information chunks will surely help the doctor to treat you exactly.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not stop the medication on your own. If you wish to do so, please consult your doctor before doing so. Also, inform your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the diseases mentioned here:

Heart disease, heart attacks, schizophrenia, blood disorders, addiction of alcohol, asthma, diabetes, glaucoma, having intramuscular, injections, liver disease,
Parkinsons disease, seizures, thoughts or plans of suicideprevious suicide attempt or family history of suicide attempt, bipolar disorderfamily history of bipolar disorder, difficulty passing urine/prostate trouble, stomach disease, difficulty in breathing, over active thyroid etc.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. And, if it is almost the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue to your regular dosing. Do not double your doses in any case. Consult your doctor for the missed dosage.

Amitriptyline is used to elevate the mood of patients with depression.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Elavil medication. However, Amitriptyline is used occasionally to treat chronic pain and eating disorders. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Amitriptyline should be stored at room temperature between 59 – 86 degrees F and 15-30 degrees C, in a tight light resistant container. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Also, keep it away from heat and direct light. Moisture or Heat may cause the break down of the medicine. In any case, do not store the Elavil capsules in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Elavil:

1. Acknowledge your doctor if you are suffering from some kind of severe diseases or if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctor immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Elavil or stop it during the surgery.

2. Let the doctor also know if you are in-taking any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any OTC medications etc. for any other conditions.

3. Do not take this Elavil, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

4. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Venlafaxine medication. Inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

5. Avoid Alcohol and alcoholic beverages during the course.

6. If you need to undergo any kind of surgery, or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents, inform your doctor you are taking this medicine.

7. Elavil can affect blood glucose i.e. sugar levels, consult your diabetic doctor if it persists.

8. Elavil may cause blurred vision, weakness and dry eyes, so consult your doctor if it is bothersome.

9. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves.

10. Please, take the medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time.

11. Do not discontinue on your own. Consult your doctor before doing so.