ELAVIL SUMMARY
ELAVIL (amitriptyline hydrochloride) is an antidepressant drug of the tricyclic type. ELAVIL is an antidepressant with sedative effects. Its mechanism of action in man is not known. It is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and it does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system.
For the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depression is more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.
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ELAVIL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Media Articles Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)
Elavil for Cystic Fibrosis?
Source: MedicineNet amitriptyline Specialty [2008.04.01]
amitriptyline. Elavil, Endep
Source: MedicineNet Interstitial Cystitis Specialty [2008.01.10]
Depression linked to poorer diabetes control (Reuters)
Source: Y! Health Depression News [2008.11.19]
Depression Screening May Not Benefit Heart Disease Patients
Source: Depression News From Medical News Today [2008.11.17]
AMPAKINE(R) Compounds May Protect From Drug-induced Respiratory Depression While Still Allowing The Sedative Or Analgesic To Continue Working
Source: Respiratory / Asthma News From Medical News Today [2008.11.16]
Published Studies Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)
A double-blind randomized controlled trial of topiramate and amitriptyline either alone or in combination for the prevention of migraine. [2008.12]
Effects of amitriptyline on gastric sensorimotor function and postprandial symptoms in healthy individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2008.08]
A double-blind randomized controlled trial of topiramate and amitriptyline either alone or in combination for the prevention of migraine. [2008.07.10]
The effects of acute treatment with paroxetine, amitriptyline, and placebo on driving performance and cognitive function in healthy Japanese subjects: a double-blind crossover trial. [2008.07]
Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of amitriptyline for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents. [2008.05]
Clinical Trials Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)
Combining N-of-1 Trials to Assess Fibromyalgia Treatments [Completed]
Anti-Inflammatory Pulmonal Therapy of CF-Patients With Amitriptyline and Placebo [Completed]
Study of Medication for Functional Abdominal Pain in Children [Completed]
A Phase II/III Double-Blind Study of Amitriptyline and Mexiletine for Painful Neuropathy in HIV Infection [Completed]
Effects of Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Pain on Driving Performance and Cognition. [Terminated]
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ELAVIL PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTSBased on a total of 10 ratings/reviews, Elavil has an overall score of 7.10. The effectiveness score is 8.20 and the side effect score is 6.80. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
| | Elavil review by 56 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Considerably Effective |
| Side effects: | | No Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Depression |
| Dosage & duration: | | 25 mg. taken daily for the period of 12 years |
| Other conditions: | | Sleep problems |
| Other drugs taken: | | Erythrom. | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | Although this drug was originally prescribed for depression, it helped with sleeplessness. Therefore, I have continued to take it for that alone. While I still on occasion have problems falling asleep, I find I can combine it with Melatonin or Valerian. In 12 years, I haven't had to increase the elavil dosage. |
| Side effects: | | None. |
| Comments: | | One a day, taken about an hour before bedtime. |
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| | Elavil review by 42 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | insomnia - early awakening |
| Dosage & duration: | | 300mg hs taken at bedtime for the period of 5 years and counting |
| Other conditions: | | depression, morbid obesity, hydrocephalis |
| Other drugs taken: | | topamax, effexor vit.d | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | restful sleep |
| Side effects: | | carbohydrate cravings leading to overeating and overweight. I also tended to always needto increase the dose over the years. When I started using this drug, I was given a 50mg dose hs. I developed a tolerance and the dose needed to be increased until it reached 300mg. |
| Comments: | | I was refered to a pharmacology specialist to see how I could be weaned off such a large dose in order to help control my weight because of the triggering of the carbohydrate cravings for which elavil is well known for. I have partiall been switched to topamax( 150mg hs with 225mg elavil hs) and I almost immediately lost 15lbs) |
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| | Elavil review by 49 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Mild Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | insomnia |
| Dosage & duration: | | 5-20 mg taken every night for the period of As needed off and on for several years |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | ibuprofen, | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | Did not wake up in the middle of the night, HIGHLY IMPROVED quality of sleep, and improved body relaxation. was able to stop using alcohol to stay asleep.
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| Side effects: | | sometimes dry mouth, and if too much was taken, and sometimes residual drug in body which made one feel logy. |
| Comments: | | As needed for sleeplessness (waking around 3am and not being able to return to sleep. |
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Page last updated: 2008-11-19
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