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 >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Brain Inflammation Tied to Depression, Suicidal Thoughts
Source: Medscape Pathology & Lab Medicine Headlines [2017.09.29]
Animal and postmortem studies point to a link between neuroinflammation and depression and suicidality. This study used PET scans to corroborate these findings in living human beings.
Medscape Medical News

Sleep Deprivation a Rapid, Effective Depression Treatment
Source: Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health Headlines [2017.09.27]
Sleep deprivation therapy may offer a rapid and effective treatment for depression, but results are short-lived. The question now is how to sustain benefit.
Medscape Medical News

Postpartum Depression Likely to Recur With Future Pregnancies
Source: MedicineNet Depression Specialty [2017.09.27]
Title: Postpartum Depression Likely to Recur With Future Pregnancies
Category: Health News
Created: 9/26/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/27/2017 12:00:00 AM

Cancer Patients May Have Undiagnosed Depression
Source: MedicineNet Depression Specialty [2017.09.25]
Title: Cancer Patients May Have Undiagnosed Depression
Category: Health News
Created: 9/25/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/25/2017 12:00:00 AM

Asthma Drug Tied to Nightmares, Depression
Source: MedicineNet Allergy Specialty [2017.09.22]
Title: Asthma Drug Tied to Nightmares, Depression
Category: Health News
Created: 9/21/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/22/2017 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Effect of minocycline on lumbar radicular neuropathic pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial with amitriptyline as a comparator. [2015]
the treatment of neuropathic pain... CONCLUSIONS: Although both groups differed from placebo, their effect size was

Effect of Minocycline on Lumbar Radicular Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial with Amitriptyline as a Comparator. [2014]
the treatment of neuropathic pain... CONCLUSIONS:: Although both groups differed from placebo, their effect size was

A phase III randomized, placebo-controlled study of topical amitriptyline and ketamine for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): a University of Rochester CCOP study of 462 cancer survivors. [2014]
efficacy of 2% ketamine plus 4% amitriptyline (KA) cream for reducing CIPN... CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that KA cream does not decrease CIPN symptoms in

Electrocardiograms changes in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders on low dose amitriptyline. [2014]
children... CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that once patients with functional

A meta-analysis of the therapeutic effects of amitriptyline for treating irritable bowel syndrome. [2013]
controlled trials... CONCLUSION: It was thus concluded that amitriptyline exhibits a clinically and

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Nerve Block vs. Elavil for Treatment of Transformed Migraines [Enrolling by invitation]
This study will compare a local anesthetic technique that has been used to treat subjects suffering from transformed migraines (chronic migraines) versus medical management with traditional antidepressant Amitriptyline / Elavil. Subjects will be randomized into one of two treatment groups to compare the safety and efficacy of the therapies. Subjects will recieve either sphenopalatine ganglion nerve block with 5% lidocaine gel into the nasopharynx or medical management with traditional antidepressants, Elavil, to produce a reduction in the frequency and severity of the headache. We propose that there will be a difference in the outcomes when comparing the two methods of treating transformed migraines and that one research arm will result in more patient satisfaction and greater efficacy in the treatment of subjects

Study to Evaluate the Effect Single and Multiple Oral Doses of BIRT 2584 XX Tablets on the Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline in Healthy Male and Female Subjects [Completed]
The objective of the study was evaluate that there is no clinically relevant interaction between amitriptyline (or its metabolite nortriptyline) and BIRT 2584 XX (or its metabolite BI 610100) when BIRT 2584 XX is administered as a tablet formulation to near steady state in an estimated high therapeutic dose. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were measured before dosing of BIRT 2584 XX, after the first dose of BIRT 2584 XX, and after repeated doses of BIRT 2584 XX near steady state

Low Doses Amitriptyline & Chronic Neck Pain [Completed]
The objective of this prospective randomized and controlled study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose of amitriptyline (5 mg) in the management of chronic neck pain.

Genetic Determinants of Amitriptyline Efficiency for Pain Treatment [Recruiting]
Low dose tricyclic antidepressant drugs are routinely administered co-analgesics in pain medicine. Amitriptyline is largely considered as a gold standard. Amitriptyline underlies cytochrome CYP2D6 and CYP2D19 metabolism. CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic; numerous genetic variants result in 4 major classes characterizing enzymatic activity: poor metabolizers, intermediate metabolizers, extensive metabolizers and ultrarapid metabolizers. It is not known to which extent metabolizer classes determine pain outcomes or side-effects. As only one in three pain patients is considered to be a responder to amitriptyline's co-analgesic effect, prediction of treatment efficacy with a fast and easy to perform bedside test may contribute to the patients quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of cytochrome variants on experimental pain, drug related side-effects and finally identification of active metabolites.

Genetic Determinants of Amitriptyline Efficiency for Pain Treatment - Part II [Recruiting]
Low dose tricyclic antidepressant drugs are routinely administered co-analgesics in pain medicine. Amitriptyline is largely considered as a gold standard. Amitriptyline underlies cytochrome CYP2D6 and CYP2D19 metabolism. CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic; numerous genetic variants result in 4 major classes characterizing enzymatic activity: poor metabolizers, intermediate metabolizers, extensive metabolizers and ultrarapid metabolizers. It is not known to which extent metabolizer classes determine pain outcomes or side-effects. As only one in three pain patients is considered to be a responder to amitriptyline's co-analgesic effect, prediction of treatment efficacy with a fast and easy to perform bedside test may contribute to the patients quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of cytochrome variants on experimental pain, drug related side-effects and finally identification of active metabolites.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Elavil (Amitriptyline) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (14),  Drug Hypersensitivity (14),  Weight Increased (13),  Disturbance in Attention (13),  Pain (11),  Agitation (10),  Rash (10),  Fatigue (9),  Depression (9),  Toxicity TO Various Agents (9), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Elavil review by 56 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Depression
Dosage & duration:		25 mg. taken daily for the period of 12 years
Other conditions:		Sleep problems
Other drugs taken:		Erythrom.
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Although this drug was originally prescribed for depression, it helped with sleeplessness. Therefore, I have continued to take it for that alone. While I still on occasion have problems falling asleep, I find I can combine it with Melatonin or Valerian. In 12 years, I haven't had to increase the elavil dosage.
Side effects:		None.
Comments:		One a day, taken about an hour before bedtime.

Elavil review by 51 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		sleep
Dosage & duration:		35mg taken once a day for the period of 22years
Other conditions:		anxiety, shy, but overal healthy
Other drugs taken:		larozepam took for 5-6 years, discontinued
		Reported Results
Benefits:		helps me fall asleep and stay asleep
Side effects:		difficult to get up, tiredness in the morning, light sensitivity, constipation
Comments:		i have been take amitriptyline for the last 22 years, without too serious side effects. i never miss a dose- if by some reason i dont have it - i will never be able to fall asleep at all. I started on 10mg but now i am taking 35mg, it helps.

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.