Elavil
(amitriptyline)
Improves mood.
Our bottom line
Elavil (amitriptyline) regulates mood and treats nerve pain, but has more side effects than alternatives.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (amitriptyline)
Upsides
- Elavil (amitriptyline) works well to treat nerve pain and is non-habit forming.
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What to expect from Elavil, on one page
Download Fact Sheet
134Downsides
- Elavil (amitriptyline) has more bothersome side effects than other antidepressants.
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What to expect from Elavil, on one page
Download Fact SheetElavil (amitriptyline) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), which works on parts of your brain responsible for mood and the perception of pain.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (amitriptyline)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Rite AidGet free coupon$6.28
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$9.14
What to expect when you take Elavil (amitriptyline) for Depression
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
Side effect rates for Elavil (amitriptyline)
Risks and Warnings for Elavil (amitriptyline)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Age 24 years or younger
Elavil (amitriptyline) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially if you're under 24. Talk to your doctor or get emergency help right away if your mood starts to worsen or you have any unusual changes in mood or behavior. This can happen when you first start the medication or when your dose increases. Elavil (amitriptyline) is not approved for use by children younger than age 18.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Elavil (amitriptyline)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Elavilon 5/1/2019This was a miracle for nerve pain. Severed tibial nerve in leg. Kept me awake due to nerve pain and constant tingling. Elavil stopped this so I could sleep41ManA year or soPain
- Take at bedtime if it makes you drowsy.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Elavilon 8/10/2017Take it at night, sleepiness and dizziness may be easier to handle. Remember there is no magic pill to fix our problems.55WomanTwo years or moreDepression
- Not worth itSome hassleReviewed Elavilon 8/4/2017Took this for trouble sleeping and it does help, but also gained weight and caused urinary issues. Did not help with mood issues for me either. Made me very irritable.31WomanA month or so
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Elavilon 4/23/2017The only side effects for me are some loss of memory, and some heart palpitation. A slight weight gain which I am trying to fight it by eating healthy and smaller portions.74WomanDepression
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Elavilon 2/14/2017If you have other choices TAKE THEM! I've been on this for 17 years it's destroyed my body it's given me stomach ulcers 2 heart conditions dry mouth weigh gain nightmares night sweats excessive sweating ringing ears hair loss and now I can't get off of it bc my body is so dependent on it for sleep, please don't take this med For prolonged use if you have any other options33WomanDepression