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Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant. It affects brain chemicals thought to cause depression when unbalanced. Elavil is used in treating symptoms of depression, and is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain.

Take exactly as directed. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Elavil may take 4 weeks or more to start having noticeable effects. Do not stop taking Elavil without first consulting your physicain.

Store at room temp., away from heat, sunlight, and moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Avoid taking a double dose.

Seek immediate medical treatment if you experience an allergic reaction, seizures, fast or irregular heartbeat, a heart attack, high blood pressure, difficulty urinating, or fever. Less serious and more common side effects may include drowsiness or dizziness, dry mouth and eyes, constipation, mild tremor, sweating, mild agitation, weakness, or headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, and loss of weight or appetite. Consult your physicain if you experience any symptom that seems unusual or bothers you.

Combining Elavil with a MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate) can be very dangerous. Do not take Elavil if you have taken a MAOI within the last 14 days. Elavil may increase drowsiness effects caused by other antidepressants, pain relievers, alcohol, etc. Tell your physicain about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your physicain.

Tell your physicain your complete medical history, especially if you have or had liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, thyroid disease, diabetes, stomach problems, heart or blood-pressure problems, had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks, an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating, or glaucoma. Your physicain may decide that you cannot take Elavil or may adjust your dosage and keep you under special monitoring. Elavil may be harmful to an unborn baby. Pregnant women should consult a physicain before taking it. Elavil passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Breastfeeding women should consult a physicain before taking Elavil. Symptoms of an Elavil overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting). If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical attention. Elavil may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities, and limit alcohol consumption. Do not stop taking Elavil suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise.