Elavil (Amitriptyline) - Summary

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.

See all Elavil indications & dosage >>

ELAVIL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)

amitriptyline. Elavil, Endep
Source: MedicineNet Interstitial Cystitis Specialty [2008.01.10]
Title: amitriptyline. Elavil, Endep
Category: Medications
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 1/10/2008

Antidepressant Directly Stimulates Brain Growth Factor Receptors
Source: Depression News From Medical News Today [2009.06.28]
The widely used antidepressant and pain medication amitriptyline--but not other closely related drugs -- can impersonate the brain's own growth factors, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have shown. The results are published online and will appear in the June 26 issue of the journal Chemistry & Biology.

Father's depression may affect infant's colic (Reuters)
Source: Y! Health Depression News [2009.07.02]
Reuters - Excessive crying in infants, otherwise known as colic, has been linked to symptoms of depression in the mother. Now a study conducted in the Netherlands links infant colic to depression in the father as well.

Depression, Anxiety Bad for the Heart
Source: MedicineNet Congestive Heart Failure Specialty [2009.06.30]
Title: Depression, Anxiety Bad for the Heart
Category: Health News
Created: 6/30/2009 7:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/30/2009

Angina Frequency Linked to Depression, Anxiety (CME/CE)
Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular [2009.06.29]
PRINCETON, N.J. (MedPage Today) -- Ischemic heart patients with depression and anxiety were more likely to suffer chest pain than patients without those psychosocial symptoms, a new study shows.

more news >>

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]
OBJECTIVE: Effectiveness of antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs has already been demonstrated for migraine prophylaxis as monotherapy. In the present study, the efficacy and tolerability of amitriptyline [generic for Elavil] and topiramate combination is examined in the prevention of migraine attacks, in comparison to the monotherapy of each drug... CONCLUSION: Amitriptyline and topiramate combination may be beneficial for patients with migraine and comorbid depression, particularly in terms of side effects and associated displeasure due to monotherapy.

Outcome in delusional depression comparing trimipramine monotherapy with a combination of amitriptyline and haloperidol - A double-blind multicenter trial. [2008.11.25]
BACKGROUND: Patients with delusional depression are difficult to treat. The atypical antidepressant trimipramine was effective in a previous 4-week open label pilot study in patients with this disorder. The major neurobiological effect of trimipramine is the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. In delusional depression HPA overactivity is more distinct than in other subtypes of depression. HPA suppression is thought to contribute to the action of trimipramine... CONCLUSION: In all, trimipramine monotherapy appears to be an effective treatment in delusional depression.

Effects of amitriptyline on gastric sensorimotor function and postprandial symptoms in healthy individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2008.08]
BACKGROUND: Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants have been used to treat chronic somatic and gastrointestinal pain disorders, including refractory functional dyspepsia. However, there are only limited data on the effects of these drugs on upper gastrointestinal function. AIM: To compare the effects of two doses of amitriptyline [generic for Elavil] (AMT) and placebo on gastric accommodation, emptying, satiation, and postprandial symptoms in healthy volunteers... CONCLUSION: In healthy volunteers, AMT slows gastric emptying of solids, but it does not significantly affect gastric volumes or satiation. AMT reduces nausea after challenge with a high calorie liquid load.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial of topiramate and amitriptyline either alone or in combination for the prevention of migraine. [2008.07.10]
OBJECTIVE: Effectiveness of antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs has already been demonstrated for migraine prophylaxis as monotherapy. In the present study, the efficacy and tolerability of amitriptyline [generic for Elavil] and topiramate combination is examined in the prevention of migraine attacks, in comparison to the monotherapy of each drug... CONCLUSION: Amitriptyline and topiramate combination may be beneficial for patients with migraine and comorbid depression, particularly in terms of side effects and associated displeasure due to monotherapy.

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]
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of antidepressants on driving performance from a different methodological viewpoint in light of the recent traffic accidents... CONCLUSIONS: Acute doses of amitriptyline [generic for Elavil] significantly impaired driving performance in the context of driving on crowded urban roads at relatively low speeds. This setting is important with respect to skills necessary for daily driving and may be difficult to measure in actual driving tests. This simulator-based study replicated the results of previous studies and could be considered complementary to them. This method may enable easy and safe screening of the driving hazard potential of drugs. Copyright 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Combining N-of-1 Trials to Assess Fibromyalgia Treatments [Completed]
This study will compare the effectiveness of combination therapy with the drugs amitriptyline and fluoxetine (AM+FL) and amitriptyline (AM) alone in the treatment of people with fibromyalgia. Doctors will treat each study participant with both AM + FL and AM alone for 6 weeks at a time. The study uses a method that combines results from treatment of individual patients to assess overall treatment effectiveness and help individual patients and their physicians with their treatment decisions. This study will also help compare the results of community-based studies (studies involving private doctors) and studies based at clinical research centers.

Anti-Inflammatory Pulmonal Therapy of CF-Patients With Amitriptyline and Placebo [Completed]
Our data indicate that the CFTR-molecule functions as a transporter for sphingosine-1-phosphate and sphingosine or regulates the uptake of these sphingolipids by epithelial cells. The disturbed uptake of sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate over the cell membrane results in an accumulation of ceramide in the cell membrane, which finally triggers a pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic status in the respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis patients. Amitriptyline reduces the cera-mide levels in the lung tissue, normalises the activity of cytokines and prevents constitutive cell death of epithelial cells observed in CFTR-deficient mice. Most important, amitriptyline prevents pulmonary infections of CFTR-deficient mice with P. aeruginosa. These effects of amitriptyline may result in an improved lung function of cystic fibrosis patients.

Study of Medication for Functional Abdominal Pain in Children [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine where amitriptyline is effective in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children.

A Phase II/III Double-Blind Study of Amitriptyline and Mexiletine for Painful Neuropathy in HIV Infection [Completed]
To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of amitriptyline hydrochloride versus mexiletine hydrochloride in reducing pain intensity in patients with HIV-related painful peripheral neuropathy.

No large-scale controlled clinical trials of symptomatic therapy for painful HIV-related neuropathy have been attempted. Both amitriptyline and mexiletine have been useful in the management of painful neuropathies; however, both are associated with certain toxicities. In this comparative study of amitriptyline and mexiletine, benztropine mesylate also will be included as an active placebo to mimic the side effects of the study drugs.

Effects of Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Pain on Driving Performance and Cognition. [Terminated]
The acute and subchronic effects of amitriptyline were compared to placebo in a double-blind crossover randomized study on driving ability and driving-related skills in chronic neuropathic pain patients. It was hypothesized that nocturnally administered 25 mg amitriptyline might affect driving performance negatively after acute, but not after subchronic treatment.

more trials >>

ELAVIL PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

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.
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.

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)

Elavil review by 61 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Marginally Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		insomnia
Dosage & duration:		150 mg taken once for the period of once
Other conditions:		sarcoidosis
Other drugs taken:		lisinopril, theophylline, cartia, premarin
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Highly effective for sleeping.
Side effects:		Slept for 3 days. Very disoriented and groggy!
Comments:		not exactly what I had in mind. I wake up during the night at 2 or 3 or 4 am and am unable to go back to sleep, I wanted the ability to sleep through the night. But I did not want to sleep for 3 days! I think maybe the initial dose was too high. I only took one tablet and never took another one.