Elavil

Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat the symptoms of a variety of disorders not limited to depression. Its scientific name is amytriptyline hydrochloride.

Function of Elavil

Elavil has been effective in treating a wide variety of conditions. It has been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain as well as depression. It has also been effect at warding off migraine headaches in some cases. It is sometimes used in the treatment of bulimia, and has also been used to treat a multiple sclerosis-related emotional lability response known as laughing/weeping syndrome.

Drug Interactions and Side Effects with Elavil

Elavil is a slow-acting drug, so it must be taken for a number of weeks before it begins to take full effect. Therefore patients should not discontinue Elavil if they do not experience immediate relief. Side effects such as drowsiness may be immediate, but should disappear as the body gets used to the presence of the drug in the system. Elavil can tend to cause dry mouth. Older patients may experience more side effects, including blurred vision, rash, and bowel problems.

How to Take Elavil

Elavil should be taken as prescribed by a doctor. In many cases, Elavil will be prescribed as a single daily dose at bedtime. If you miss your dose, skip it, rather than taking it first thing in the morning, as side effects may interfere with daily functioning. Because Elavil takes awhile to build up in the bloodstream, it should be taken consistently as prescribed unless dangerous or intolerable side effects arise. By the same token, Elavil should not be abruptly discontinued, but tapered off of slowly over several weeks to avoid unpleasant effects such as headaches and nausea. Elavil should not be taken in conjunction with MAO inhibitors and should not be taken after recovering from a heart attack.

About Emotional Lability

Emotional lability is a condition wherein a patient experiences sudden burst of euphoria or sadness, evinced by uncontrollable laughing and crying. Although these episodes can be brief, they can also be very alarming for both sufferers and loved ones. Laughing/weeping syndrome occurs in five percent or less of multiple sclerosis sufferers. Emotional lability is found in other conditions as well, but typically Elavil is only prescribed in these cases for laughing/weeping syndrome as found with multiple sclerosis. Bipolar disorder, in which a patient experiences extended periods of mania and depression, is not the same thing as emotional lability and Elavil is not generally indicated for this disorder.