How to take Amitriptyline (Elavil)?
Ensure to read and understand the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Amitriptyline (Elavil). If there are any doubts ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Amitriptyline (Elavil) capsule with a glass of water with or without food as per your doctor's advice. Usually 1 to 4 times daily is the recommended dose. If you are taking once a day it is better to take at bedtime to it helps to reduce the day time drowsiness.
Your dosage will be decided upon your medical condition, age, laboratory tests, your response to the medication and other medications that you are taking. Take Amitriptyline (Elavil) exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.In order to reduce the side effects your doctor may start Amitriptyline at a low dosage and gradually will increase the dosage over time. Take Amitriptyline exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor. Make sure to take Amitriptyline (Elavil) regularly to get the most benefit from it.
Amitriptyline (Elavil) needs to be continued even if you feel well. It should not be discontinued without consulting your doctor. Sometimes your condition may get worse when you stop the medication abruptly. It may also cause mood swings, tiredness, headache, sleep changes, brief feelings similar to that of electric shock. In order to stop this medication your doctor may decrease your dosage gradually. If you develop any new symptoms keep your doctor well informed.
To feel the benefit of this medication it may take a couple of weeks.
Precautions
Prior to taking Amitriptyline inform your doctor if you have
any allergies to Amitriptyline (Elavil) or any other allergies
thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism)
seizures
breathing problems
liver disease
kidney disease
problems urinating (enlarged prostate)
high blood pressure
peptic ulcer disease
bleeding problems
heart problems (heart failure, previous heart attack)
personal or family history of glaucoma
personal or family history of mental/mood disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder)
family history of suicide
conditions that may increase the risk of seizures (alcohol withdrawal, brain disease)
If you have certain medical conditions or taking other medications that may cause QT prolongation, can increase the risk of QT prolongation. Prior to taking Amitriptyline, inform your doctor of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the conditions listed here: certain heart problems (such as slow heartbeat, heart failure, recent heart attack, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Risk of QT prolongation will be increased by low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood. This risk may increase if you are taking certain drugs or certain conditions like diarrhea, sweating and vomiting. Discuss with your doctor how to use Amitriptyline safely and effectively.
Amitriptyline (Elavil) may make you dizzy, confused or disoriented. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely. Understand how this medication affects you. Do not take any alcoholic beverages.
If you are having surgery prior to your surgery, inform your doctor or the dentist of all the products (prescription, non- prescription medications, herbal products, vitamin and supplements) you are taking.
Check your blood sugar regularly if you are diabetic as instructed by your doctor and share the results with your doctor as Amitriptyline (Elavil) can increase your blood sugar. Your doctor will need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Limit your time in the sun as Amitriptyline (Elavil) will make you more sensitive to the sun. You must avoid sunlamps and tanning booths. Ensure to wear protective clothing and use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Inform your doctor right away if you have skin blisters or sunburnt.
Older adult patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. They may experience
dizziness
bleeding
lightheadedness
loss of coordination
Older adults have a higher risk of falling due to dizziness and loss of coordination
If you are pregnant you must take Amitriptyline only if it's absolutely necessary. Unborn baby may be harmed by Amitriptyline (Elavil). If you are planning a pregnancy, become pregnant or think you may be pregnant discuss with your doctor the risks and the benefits involved.
Nursing mothers must discuss with the doctor if it is safe to feed the baby while taking Amitriptyline as it passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
Side Effects
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects.
dry mouth
dizziness
drowsiness
weight gain
blurred vision
trouble urinating
constipation
Chew on sugarless gum, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, drink water or use a saliva substitute to relieve dry mouth.
Maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water and exercise in order to prevent constipation. Consult your pharmacist to select a laxative if you become constipated while taking Amitriptyline.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience these rare but serious side effects mentioned below.
Easy bruising/bleeding
Severe stomach/abdominal pain
Persistent heartburn
Shaking
Muscle spams
Mask like facial expressions
Decreased sexual ability / desire
Enlarged / painful breasts
Seek medical assistance immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned below.
Severe dizziness
Fainting
Eye pain/swelling/ redness/ widened pupils
Vision changes (seeing rainbows around lights at night)
Black stools
Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
There is a possibility that may cause (very rarely) a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical help right away: muscle stiffness, fever, severe confusion, sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Interactions
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Some of the medications which cause drowsiness may interact with Amitriptyline is
disulfiram
thyroid supplements
arbutamine
blood thinners (warfarin)
antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel)
NSAIDs (ibruprofen)
anticholinergic drugs (benztropine, belladonna alkaloids)
high blood pressure medicine (drugs that work in the brain such as clonide)
Amitriptyline taken together with MAO inhibitors can cause serious drug interaction. You need to avoid MAO inhibitors (linezolid, rasagiline, phenelzine, procabazine, methylene blue, isocarboxazid, safinamide, tranylcypromine) during the time of treatment.
0 