Elavil

Elavil may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of the sun, wear protective clothing, and apply a sun block.

Elavil may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

While taking this medication, you may feel dizzy or light-headed or actually faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.

Use Elavil with caution if you have ever had seizures, urinary retention, glaucoma or other chronic eye conditions, a heart or circulatory system disorder, or liver problems. Be cautious, too, if you are receiving thyroid medication. You should discuss all of your medical problems with your doctor before starting Elavil therapy.

Before having surgery, dental treatment, or any diagnostic procedure, tell the doctor that you are taking Elavil. Certain drugs used during surgery, such as anesthetics and muscle relaxants, and drugs used in certain diagnostic procedures may react badly with Elavil.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Elavil

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

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 albuterol and pseudoephedrine
• Antidepressants that raise serotonin levels, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline
• Other antidepressants, such as amoxapine
• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and clemastine fumarate
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• Certain blood pressure medicines such as clonidine
• Cimetidine
• Disulfiram
• Drugs that control spasms, such as dicyclomine
• Estrogen drugs and oral contraceptives
• Ethchlorvynol
• Major tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine and thioridazine
• MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine
• Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as flecainide and propafenone
• Painkillers such as acetaminophen and meperidine
• Parkinsonism drugs such as benztropine and levodopa
• Quinidine
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine and phenytoin
• Sleep medicines such as flurazepam and triazolam
• Thyroid hormones
• Tranquilizers such as alprazolam and chlordiazepoxide
• Warfarin