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Special Precautions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Elavil
or any other medications.
Tell your doctor if:
- you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression,
bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited)
- mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood)
- if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide
- you drink large amounts of alcohol
- if you have recently had a heart attack
- if you have or have ever had glaucoma
- an enlarged prostate
- difficulty urinating
- seizures
- an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- diabetes
- liver, kidney, or heart disease
- you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- If you become pregnant while taking Elavil, call your doctor immediately.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are taking Elavil.
Elavil may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery
until you know how this medication affects you. Remember that alcohol
can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways,
especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your
dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if
you have depression or another mental illness, whether or not you are
taking Elavil or any other medication. You, your family, or your
caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of
the following symptoms:
- new or worsening depression
- thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so
- extreme worry
- agitation
- panic attacks
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- aggressive behavior
- irritability
- acting without thinking
- severe restlessness
- frenzied abnormal excitement
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that cause drowsiness
(eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Elavil. Elavil will add
to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist
if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
Alcoholic beverages, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase
dizziness. To prevent dizziness or fainting, sit up or stand slowly,
especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of
dizziness or weakness.
Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop in patients taking
Elavil. Occurrence is highest among the elderly, especially women. The
risk of developing these involuntary movements and the likelihood they
will become permanent are increased with long-term use and with high
doses. However, it is possible to develop these symptoms after short-term
use at low doses.
Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occur:
- involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion
of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements),
sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs
Elavil may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to
the sun and other ultraviolet light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens
and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other
activities since heatstroke may occur.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Elavil.
Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious
so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
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