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Elavil |
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What is Elavil and why is it prescribed? Elavil is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of mental depression. Some doctors also prescribe Elavil to treat bulimia, to control chronic pain, to prevent migraine headaches, and to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis. You may need to take Elavil regularly for several weeks before it becomes fully effective. Do not skip Elavil doses, even if they seem to make no difference or you feel you don't need them. How should you take Elavil? Follow your doctors directions for taking Elavil. You may experience Elavil side effects, such as mild drowsiness, early in therapy. However, they usually disappear after a few days. Beneficial effects may take as long as 30 days to appear. Elavil may cause dry mouth. Sucking a hard candy, chewing gum, or melting bits of ice in your mouth can provide relief. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. If you take a single daily dose at bedtime, do not make up for it in the morning. It may cause side effects during the day. Keep Elavil in a tightly closed container. Store Elavil at room temperature. Protect it from light and excessive heat. Are there any Elavil side effects? Elavil side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Older adults are especially liable to certain side effects of Elavil, including rapid heartbeat, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, sedation, and confusion, and are in greater danger of sustaining a fall. Elavil side effects may include abnormal movements, anxiety, black tongue, blurred vision, breast development in males, breast enlargement, coma, confusion, constipation, delusions, diarrhea, difficult or frequent urination, difficulty in speech, dilation of pupils, disorientation, disturbed concentration, dizziness on getting up, dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive or spontaneous flow of milk, excitement, fatigue, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headache, heart attack, hepatitis, high blood pressure, high fever, high or low blood sugar, hives, impotence, inability to sleep, increased or decreased sex drive, increased perspiration, increased pressure within the eye, inflammation of the mouth, intestinal obstruction, irregular heartbeat, lack or loss of coordination, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, nausea, nightmares, numbness, rapid and/or fast, fluttery heartbeat, rash, red or purple spots on skin, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizures, sensitivity to light, stomach upset, strange taste, stroke, swelling due to fluid retention in the face and tongue, swelling of testicles, swollen glands, tingling and pins and needles in the arms and legs, tremors, vomiting, weakness, weight gain or loss, and yellowed eyes and skin. Side effects due to rapid decrease or abrupt withdrawal from Elavil include headache, nausea, and vague feeling of bodily discomfort. Side effects due to gradual Elavil dosage reduction may include dream and sleep disturbances, irritability, and restlessness. These side effects do not signify an addiction to Elavil. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Elavil? If Elavil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Elavil may intensify the effects of alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking Elavil. It is especially important that you consult with your doctor before taking Elavil in combination with Airway-opening drugs (such as Sudafed and Proventil), Antidepressants that raise serotonin levels (such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft), Other antidepressants (such as amoxapine), Antihistamines (such as Benadryl and Tavist), Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), Certain blood pressure medicines (such as Catapres), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Disulfiram (Antabuse), Drugs that control spasms (such as Bentyl and Donnatal), Estrogen drugs (such as Premarin and oral contraceptives), Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), Major tranquilizers (such as Mellaril and Thorazine), MAO inhibitors (such as Nardil and Parnate), Medications for irregular heartbeat (such as Tambocor and Rythmol), Painkillers (such as Demerol and Percocet), Parkinsonism drugs (such as Cogentin and Larodopa), Quinidine (Quinidex), Seizure medications (such as Tegretol and Dilantin), Sleep medicines (such as Halcion and Dalmane), Thyroid hormones (Synthroid), Tranquilizers (such as Librium and Xanax), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Are there any special warnings about Elavil? Do not stop taking Elavil abruptly, especially if you have been taking large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dosage gradually. Elavil may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of the sun, wear protective clothing, and apply a sun block. Elavil may cause you to become drowsy or less alert. While taking Elavil, you may feel dizzy or light-headed or actually faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help or if this problem continues, notify your doctor. Use Elavil with caution if you have ever had seizures, urinary retention, glaucoma or other chronic eye conditions, a heart or circulatory system disorder, or liver problems. Be cautious, too, if you are receiving thyroid medication. You should discuss all of your medical problems with your doctor before starting Elavil therapy. Before having surgery, dental treatment, or any diagnostic procedure, tell the doctor that you are taking Elavil. Certain drugs used during surgery, such as anesthetics and muscle relaxants, and drugs used in certain diagnostic procedures may react badly with Elavil. |
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