Elavil and Constipation: What Users Say

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2014

For Insomnia "Amitriptyline has helped my insomnia by a tenfold. I have issues staying asleep due to my fibromyalgia and anxiety. I sleep all night for once. Unfortunately, it has side effects: no appetite, impotence, daytime drowsiness, constipation."

• sir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2018

For Insomnia "I'm 65 years old so when the benzo stops being effective, I used Amitriptyline (Elavil) to sleep. I have to take 3 X 10mg with half of a banana to make it smoother on an empty stomach to make it work. It has some nasty side effects, but they tend to go away after a while. Constipation will not be a problem anymore after a month, drink a lot of water early in the evening to prevent constipation. Dry mouth will always be there, but will become less severe after a while, so chew some gum to fix this problem. Sex will also take a low profile :-) This drug can also be used to make the withdrawal of the benzos much easier to do. You will still sleep and will only need a small dosage of benzo, which you can lower slowly but surely. I get a better sleep pattern than with the benzos. Waking up ready to drive my car if I need to, unlike with Ambien. Cheap to buy also. My old mother still uses it after almost 50 years of usage. She is 85."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Interstitial Cystitis "Finally have relief of 3 years of relentless pain from interstitial cystitis. The grogginess and constipation are the only downsides. Made a remarkable difference to urgency and pain. Feel like a new woman. Thought I’d never have relief! Thank you."

• edw...
• March 9, 2023

For Depression "I have been diagnosed with depression since college. Since then, I have tried every antidepressant and had no luck. My doctor put me on Elavil, and boom, depression is gone, though I have IBS-C big time. Tried to taper down from 100 mg, and got down to 60 mg, but am still constipated. It's a nightmare. I am now taking Linzess, Motegrity, Miralax, and coconut oil, which helps a little bit. Has anybody else had the same problems?"

• Cdo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2017

For Insomnia "I've had insomnia for 2 years now. I think I've been on every prescribed and OTC med out there. I was frustrated. Until I asked about Elavil, and it was a godsend. The only side effect I noticed was constipation. Maybe an increase in appetite too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Helped my migraines a lot! However, had severe constipation, gained 45 lbs in 6 months, gave me night terrors, and caused me to have slight depression. For migraines, though, it was great, but due to all the side effects I was having, I have since switched. I would recommend Elavil to migraine sufferers, it worked for me!"