Take Elavil exactly as prescribed. You may experience side effects, such as mild drowsiness, early in therapy. However, they usually disappear after a few days. Beneficial effects may take as long as 30 days to appear.

Elavil may cause dry mouth. Sucking a hard candy, chewing gum, or melting bits of ice in your mouth can provide relief.

If you miss an Elavil dose: Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

If you take a single daily dose at bedtime, do not make up for it in the morning. It may cause side effects during the day.

Adults: The usual starting dose of Elavil is 75 milligrams per day divided into 2 or smaller doses. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to 150 milligrams per day. The total daily dose of Elavil is generally never higher than 200 milligrams.

Alternatively, your doctor may want you to start with 50 milligrams to 100 milligrams at bedtime. Your doctor may increase this bedtime dose by 25 or 50 milligrams up to a total of 150 milligrams a day.

For long-term use, the usual dose of Elavil ranges from 40 to 100 milligrams taken once daily, usually at bedtime.

Children: Use of Elavil is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

The usual dose of Elavil for adolescents 12 years of age and over is 10 milligrams, 3 times a day, with 20 milligrams taken at bedtime.

Older adults: The usual dose of Elavil is 10 milligrams taken 3 times a day, with 20 milligrams taken at bedtime.

Elavil Overdosage: An overdose of Elavil can prove fatal. So please double check the dose of Elavil before taking it.

Symptoms of Elavil overdose may include: Abnormally low blood pressure, confusion, convulsions, dilated pupils and other eye problems, disturbed concentration, drowsiness, hallucinations, impaired heart function, rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced body temperature, stupor, unresponsiveness or coma.

Symptoms contrary to the effect of Elavil are: Agitation, extremely high body temperature, overactive reflexes, rigid muscles, vomiting

If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Elavil Storage instructions: Keep Elavil in a tightly closed container. Store at room temperature. Protect from light and excessive heat.

Preparations: Tablets: Elavil 10mg, 25mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, Elavil 50mg SR.

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Elavil may intensify the effects of alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking Elavil .

If Elavil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important that you consult with your doctor before taking Elavil in combination with the following:

• Airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Proventil
• Antidepressants that raise serotonin levels, such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
• Other antidepressants, such as amoxapine
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• Certain blood pressure medicines such as Catapres
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Drugs that control spasms, such as Bentyl and Donnatal
• Estrogen drugs such as Premarin and oral contraceptives
• Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl)
• Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
• MAO inhibitors, such as Nardil and Parnate
• Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as Tambocor and Rythmol
• Painkillers such as Demerol and Percocet
• Parkinsonism drugs such as Cogentin and Larodopa
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
• Seizure medications such as Tegretol and Dilantin
• Sleep medicines such as Halcion and Dalmane
• Thyroid hormones (Synthroid)
• Tranquilizers such as Librium and Xanax
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

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