While Elavil is an anti-depressant, it can also be used for a number of other ailments. Included in the list of ailments where Elavil is sometimes prescribed are bulimia, migraine headaches and chronic pain. Sometimes Elavil is used to help with a syndrome that makes a person laugh and cry pathologically due to multiple sclerosis. The main use of Elavil, however, is to treat mental depression and this drug is part of a group of medicines that are known as tricyclic anti-depressants and Elavil’s generic name is Elavil Amitriptyline hydrochloride.

Taking Elavil

When a patient is prescribed Elavil, he is expected to keep on taking this medication until results are evident. There are some patients who think that results with Elavil are instantaneous but what they need to know is they need to keep on with the medication until results begin to show a few weeks into the treatment. Taking Elavil should be done according to dosage and according to schedule. Sometimes the results you are waiting to see and feel may even take a month or so to manifest so taking your doses regularly is important. If you find that you skipped a dose, try and make up for it by taking it as soon as you remember. If you find that the next dose is just an hour or so away when you remember, skip the previous dose and take the next dose at the specified time of your medication. Do not ever consider making up for the missed dose by taking double doses since this will cause you to overdose and is very dangerous to your health and your life. If you are pregnant, you may need to tell your doctor this before you start taking Elavil. If you are planning on becoming pregnant during the course of your therapy, you may also need to inform your doctor about this. Lactating mothers also need to have their doctors know that they are breastfeeding their babies. Since this medication will show up in breast milk, you may have to stop breastfeeding while under treatment or you may need to find other medication or treatments suitable for you and safe for your baby.

Side Effects ( elavil side effects )

Taking Elavil may bring about side effects that may be annoying, irritating or uncomfortable. Some of the more common side effects include cotton mouth or the feeling of dryness in your mouth, blurred vision, constipation, confusion and even a rapid change in heartbeat. The older a person is, the more susceptible he or she is to side effects brought about by a treatment with the drug. Other noted side effects that the drug seems to bring about include hair loss, rashes, water retention, problems with urinating, an increase in body temperature and even a possibility of seizures. There are also instances when a person taking the medication is known to suffer from bone marrow problems, enlargement of the breasts for both male and female patients, testicular swelling and even possible heart attacks. When a sudden change in dosage is enacted, side effects can also be anticipated. An increase in dosage may bring about nausea, fatigue and a sense of discomfort and uneasiness with your own body. The same side effects can be expected with a sudden withdrawal from the medication. A gradual reduction in the intake of the drug also brings about such side effects like restlessness, irritability and sleeping problems that may include disturbances in sleep patterns or dream disturbances. If you find that you are experiencing any of these side effects, make sure to inform your doctor immediately so he or she can advise if it is better for you to discontinue your medication and change to another kind of antidepressant or if it is okay to continue with your treatment.

Dosages for Adults and Children

While it is not advisable to prescribe the medication to children 12 years old and below, there are times when children above 12 will be prescribed such a medication. The usual dosage for an adolescent is at 10 milligrams to be taken three times in one day with a 20 milligram dosage to be taken before bedtime. Adults usually get prescribed daily dosages that total between 75 milligrams to 200 milligrams to be taken in two to three doses per day. If Elavil is slated to be taken over an extended period of time, a patient may be prescribed a single dose of 40 up to 100 milligrams per day and this may have to be ingested right before sleeping. Older adults may be given dosages or prescriptions similar to those being prescribed for adolescents.
 
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