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General Medication Fact Sheet for Elavil
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Elavil |
| Generic Name | Amitriptyline |
| Boxed/Label Warning | May increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. |
| Purpose | Tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression, nerve pain, and sometimes migraines. |
| Mechanism of Action | Blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, increasing their levels and improving mood. It also blocks histamine, acetylcholine, and adrenergic receptors, leading to some of its side effects. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets |
| Available Strengths | 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Typically once daily at bedtime, or divided into multiple doses throughout the day. |
| Common Side Effects | Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, weight gain, dizziness. |
| Serious Side Effects | Irregular heartbeat, seizures, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty urinating, angle-closure glaucoma. |
| Drug Interactions | MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, SNRIs, anticholinergic medications, alcohol, certain blood pressure medications, quinidine, cimetidine. |
| Important Notes | Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Inform your doctor if you have heart problems, glaucoma, or difficulty urinating. Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without consulting your doctor. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Take as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Nortriptyline (Pamelor). |
Elavil Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sertraline (Zoloft) | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | Often a first-line treatment for depression with fewer anticholinergic side effects than Elavil. |
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | Another SSRI option for depression; may be activating for some individuals. |
| Duloxetine (Cymbalta) | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) | Can be used for depression and certain types of nerve pain. |
| Nortriptyline (Pamelor) | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) | Another TCA with a slightly different side effect profile compared to Elavil; often used for nerve pain. |
Elavil Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Drowsiness | Irregular heartbeat |
| Dry mouth | Seizures |
| Blurred vision | Confusion |
| Constipation | Hallucinations |
| Weight gain | Difficulty urinating |
| Dizziness | Angle-closure glaucoma |
Elavil Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 25-75 mg daily | 75-150 mg daily (may be higher in some cases) | Take as a single dose at bedtime or divided doses. |
| Nerve Pain | 10-25 mg daily | 25-75 mg daily | Take as a single dose at bedtime. |
| Migraine Prevention | 10-25 mg daily | 25-50 mg daily | Take as a single dose at bedtime. |
Elavil Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $30 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $80 – $150 |
| From CPS | $15 |
