Elavil and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• LLT...
• September 20, 2011

For Depression "I just got my prescription filled for the 3rd time and wanted to write a review to help others. I was so scared to take this after having a bad experience with Zoloft. I remember coming here and reading all the reviews and still didn't take the medicines prescribed until a month later. The first two weeks I was so tired and had extreme dry mouth. I thought I would have to quit because I was so tired and couldn't work. I had two weeks off between Christmas and the New Year and decided to stick with it. I'm so glad I did. I feel like myself again and with zero side effects now except for when I don't take it for a few days. If I ever do come off, I will wean slowly. I was also so scared to gain weight which, thankfully, didn't happen. Love it!"

• 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."

• Rob...
• November 19, 2011

For Pain "No side effects other than some dry mouth. I have had pain in my upper mid-right back for several years. The pain radiated to underneath my right rib cage. After 2 years and many CT scans, my surgeon removed my gallbladder. It was diseased and had small stones, but my condition did not improve. My surgeon said that he thought my pain could be skeletal and started me on a muscle relaxer with a low dose of Elavil at night. My pain has almost subsided, and my neuropathy is much better. I am so glad to be taking it."

• Tam...
• August 26, 2009

For Pain "I was given this for pain and insomnia. Didn't take it at first because I have a fear of drugs, but after being on this for a week, I wish I had taken it sooner. I am sleeping better and my pain is less. I have fibromyalgia along with Panic/Anxiety. This is a drug that helps it all with very few side effects for me (just dry mouth)."

• Bea...
• December 22, 2009

For Pain "I developed near-total numbness in my thigh over a period of 2 months, after which the surface pain was unbearable. I couldn't even touch the hairs on my thigh without gritting my teeth in pain. I saw a neurologist who couldn't identify the cause even after MRI, EMG, and blood work. After trying Lyrica for the pain, which didn't help at all, he gave me Elavil. Using only a 25mg dose, the pain disappeared completely after one week. I did have some dry mouth as a side effect for a while, but that has subsided somewhat. Great stuff!"

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

For Burning Mouth Syndrome "I was very skeptical that an antidepressant would help with my persistent burning mouth syndrome. My symptoms were severe: burning tongue, roof of the mouth, and throat. After many tests and no results, my doctor suggested amitriptyline. It worked almost immediately, and after two weeks, almost all the pain is gone. The side effects are minimal: dry mouth and disturbed dreams, which seem to have diminished after a month or so. It's worth it for me."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

For Depression "I've tried about every medication out there for my anxiety and depression: Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Paxil, Cymbalta, Emsam, Xanax, etc. At 75mg, Elavil helped me sleep. I had more energy, I didn't feel restless, and I rarely got upset. I thought I had found the perfect cure until I started to gain weight. I decreased my calorie intake, increased my exercise, and the weight just kept coming. In 4 months, I had gained 26 pounds. I also started to have severe dry mouth; my throat was dry, and my voice was hoarse. I also started to have blurred vision. I really like this medicine but know I can handle the side effects."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I started taking Elavil at the onset of my fibromyalgia in 1997, had great sleep, and was able to continue my work and study without pain. In early 2010, I read the side effects of the medicine and recognized what was happening to me. I had been falling for no reason, broke an ankle, lumbar vertebrae, thumb, and many bruises. I had dry mouth so bad I could hardly talk, could not remember my words I wanted to say, and lost all sex drive. I slowly removed myself off Elavil with the help of my doctor. I have had lots of pain since February 2010 and cannot find a medicine to help me with my sleep and pain, but I will not use Elavil again. I have not fallen, lost my memory, or had any other side effects of this medicine since."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Elavil by my rheumatologist and have been on it for 10 days. He prescribed a dose of 25 mg, but I am super sensitive to meds and have only been taking 12.5 mg. Let me just start by saying I have been on everything from Zoloft to Lyrica for depression and fibromyalgia. I have had negative experiences with most of them. I was skeptical to even try Elavil after reading some user reviews, but decided to give it a try. So far, I have noticed that I have more energy and don't feel like I am in a fog. Other side effects I've noticed: 1. Dry mouth 2. Weird dreams 3. Tired in the a.m., but more energy later on. 4. Upper back pain in the a.m. This concerns me. 5. More social 6. No pain relief for fibromyalgia. If anything, I am more aware of it. Jury's still out :/"

• SAm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Insomnia "The worst pill I've ever taken for insomnia. I got prescribed Elavil 25 mg to take before bed. I took the first tab, and it made me very sleepy and dizzy, but I could not fall asleep. I was in a state between sleep and awake. Very dry mouth, very restless, and the second morning I felt that I could not move. It also caused me headaches. Will be throwing the rest in the garbage. Terrible drug."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I'm a 16-year-old girl. I have been on tons of medicines for migraine prevention, and nothing seemed to help. One day, I ended up in the E.R. and missed much school. When I started on Elavil at 10 mg, it seemed to not do much, but when my dose was increased to 30 mg, I tend to have less frequent (2-3) migraines a week. My migraines are less intense, and I'm able to do my studies. The dry mouth is much less when I chew gum, but I tend to be tired all the time. This medication has worked the best for me, although not perfect."

• Sta...
• June 26, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Elavil for several weeks now, and the only side effect I have had is the dry mouth. I would rather deal with that than the migraines, which I must say have been dormant for weeks now, and I am so happy."

• aut...
• March 13, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I take Elavil for migraines and have not had a single headache since starting it. Elavil also makes me sleep wonderfully. I (and everyone in my family) have always had trouble sleeping, and I didn't think there was a medicine out there that would make me sleep on a reliable schedule. This is amazing. Negatives: Miss a dose, and you'll have a bad migraine. It makes you extremely drowsy for the first week, but that will pass. I keep a bottle of water by my bed because of the dry mouth. Cravings are a side effect, so if you get them, you should monitor your diet to avoid weight gain. Also, I drank half a beer after taking it and felt like I'd drank 15. Approach alcohol use VERY carefully."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I finally saw a neurologist after years of headaches. I have taken Topamax and Neurontin as preventatives. Zomig, Imitrix, Maxalt, and with stress seem to never go a week without a headache. I was started on 25 mg Elavil with no relief, it was increased to 50 mg at bedtime, and I have been nearly headache-free for 3 weeks. I did miss one dose and had a headache the next day, but not the rebound headaches that I was experiencing. The side effect that bothered me most was the dry mouth, and I did experience fatigue. I am a RN and work 12-hour shifts, there was no way I could work with a headache and would subsequently miss work. My fingers are crossed, and I am hoping this is my cure. Yay!"

• Jal...
• August 22, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I experienced my first migraine when I was roughly 10 years old. I'm 32 now. Last month (July 2010), I had a particularly vicious attack which lasted 1 1/2 weeks. Following a few days of relative calm, a second migraine (or continuation of the previous one... who knows?) occurred and essentially disabled me for an additional 1 1/2 weeks. After much research, I talked to my physician and decided on a treatment plan which includes taking 25 mg of amitriptyline (Elavil) at bedtime every night, as well as Maxalt MLT and a nausea drug when needed. I've been taking the amitriptyline for nearly two weeks now, and so far, so good. The side effects are noticeable, however, and include drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. Will keep you posted."

• BRA...
• May 11, 2013

For Vulvodynia "Use of Elavil has not lessened the pain associated with vulvodynia (or nerve ending pain), but it seems I can tolerate it more. But I notice that my throat gets very dry and my voice is hoarse. Also, I have been diagnosed with dry eye, and I do feel that it is caused by the Elavil (along with dry mouth and throat)."

• BRA...
• May 11, 2013

For Vulvodynia "Use of Elavil has not lessened the pain associated with vulvodynia (or nerve ending pain), but it seems I can tolerate it more. But I notice that my throat gets very dry and my voice is hoarse. Also, I have been diagnosed with dry eye, and I do feel that it is caused by the Elavil (along with dry mouth and throat)."

• Red...
• August 19, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "This medicine is the best for migraines. I have been on this medicine for almost a year, and I started getting relief after two weeks of taking it. The side effects that I have experienced are weight gain, dry mouth, and dizziness, especially if you wait to take the medicine after a certain time of the night. I give this medicine two thumbs up. I currently take two 50 mg at bedtime."