Who Manufactures It?
While the brand name Elavil is no longer made, there are many companies that make the generic form.
How Elavil Works
Elavil is part of the class of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants. It isn't totally clear how this medication works, but it is known that it affects many brain chemicals which includes norepinephrine and serotonin. It is thought that Elavil allows the chemicals to remain in the brain for a longer amount of time, which helps to ease symptoms of depression.
Elavil Effects
Studies show that Elavil has been effective at treating depression. It might also be used to ease pain that is chronic and help with the prevention of migraine headaches. Elavil often helps to ease problems such as fibromyalgia, bedwetting, bulimia and ADHD. This medication has also been found to be effective at helping people that want to quit smoking.
Potential Elavil Side Effects
As with all medications, there is a potential for side effects when taking Elavil. Not everyone that takes this medication will suffer from side effects as it is generally well tolerated. If you do notice side effects, they are usually minor and require little or no treatment. Other more serious side effects are not as common.
Most of the commonly reported side effects might include: Constipation, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, trouble urinating and dry mouth.
Information About Dosing
Your recommended Elavil dose will depend on many factors such as:
How old you are
What condition you're being treated for
Other medicines you might be taking
Other conditions you might have
As with all medications, you should not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
Generic Forms of Elavil
There are generic versions of this medication on the market even though the name brand version is no longer on the market.
