Elavil and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Mrs...
• March 21, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm bipolar. I've been on various medicines for almost 10 years. Well, my Dad died a few months ago. The depression and anxiety were so bad I could not function. My doctor prescribed this, along with my 40mg of Celexa. It took about a month to 6 weeks before I felt any better. But I also have chronic pain from spinal arthritis. This medication has helped me get my life back! But in the process, I've gained 20 lbs in 8 weeks, and I was already overweight. It's helped with my chronic pain and with the depression. I love how I feel on this but not the weight gain."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2020

For Insomnia "I've had insomnia in almost every way you can have it, so I've tried the whole raft of sedatives and hypnotics. Only three have worked: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxepin/Silenor, and this. Just the fact that it keeps me asleep is such a godsend that I can't give it a bad review, but ... Of the three drugs that work, this is the worst. It has more neurological side effects, it puts me in a lousy mood that lasts most of the next day (not terrible, but maybe 25% grumpier than usual), and it leads to weight gain even at the lowest dose (10mg). If my hormones are out of whack (high cortisol), amitriptyline doesn't make me groggy, but if they're in line it really does, leaving me wool-headed until the middle of the afternoon. It also has negative interactions with a bunch of other drugs, so be careful to check it against your other prescriptions/recreational drugs."

• 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."

• Hei...
• February 28, 2012

For Somatoform Pain Disorder "I've been using Elavil for almost 4 years now and can't live without it! If I run out before I can get to the pharmacy, my symptoms return with a vengeance and I feel awful again! I would recommend this medicine to ANYONE dealing with pain, insomnia, or depression to consider this medicine! I started off on a low dose (25mg) per night, now only on 50mg, and I have NEVER done so well in my life emotionally or physically! One of the negatives for me has been weight gain and now high blood pressure because of the weight, BUT I tell everyone I'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and miserable!"

• 41r...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2013

For Interstitial Cystitis "Actually, I started taking it for severe nerve pain in my neck, and I have Interstitial Cystitis as well. Since taking it, I have had great success with the management of pain. I have gained 35 lbs while being on the medication, but sometimes you have no choice. Hands down, give me a life without pain and suffering with 35 extra lbs. I will gladly take poundage over pain any day."

• Mah...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2023

For Depression "I was diagnosed with major depression in the early 1990s, and my MD put me on Elavil (amitriptyline). It worked great, although I put on quite a bit of weight. Over the years, I've been on virtually every other class of depression medication, as well as ECT, and none of them worked as well as Elavil. I take it for depression and anxiety, and it's amazing. It is an old, old drug, with lots of side effects, but it has pulled me back from the precipice every time. I currently take 150 mg at night, which is the max dose for outpatient treatment. I have an Rx for clonazepam for breakthrough anxiety and feel pretty good."

• gal...
• August 30, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have used Elavil for about two years, on and off. I was prescribed this medication for a condition called Cluster headaches. Well, this medicine worked like a miracle! The next morning after taking Elavil, I didn't have a migraine, and I had been having them like clockwork for about two weeks!! Although this is an antidepressant (I wasn't depressed), this medicine did boost my mood and made me feel much better throughout the day. It also gave me a very restful night's sleep. This medicine has been claimed to make some people gain weight, but I work out at least three to four times a week and have not gained any weight. Works wonders, and if you eat healthy and work out, you shouldn't see that drastic weight gain that everyone mentions!"

• moo...
• December 12, 2009

For Pain "After a car accident a year ago and having horrible life-disrupting headaches every day, I finally got prescribed Elavil at 25mg once before bed. It has improved most of my headaches, and I sleep like a champ... all the time! The only downfalls are I sleep more now than ever, and I have gained 15 lbs. I almost think I'd rather have headaches than gain this weight."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For Interstitial Cystitis "This was a miracle for my interstitial cystitis symptoms. However, I gained over 30 pounds and jumped over 6 pants sizes in about 3 months. I had to come off the medicine due to weight gain (which did not fall off easily) and immediately went back to my severe interstitial cystitis symptoms. It unfortunately is not the solution for me, other than managing my pain through diet. I have not found another medicine I can take without causing weight gain or other symptoms that cannot be overcome."

• k-L...
• May 9, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "My neurologist started me out on 10 mg of Elavil, and within a couple of weeks, I began taking 25 mg. It took about a month for it to take effect, but until then, I had a headache almost every single day. After that, nothing. So, yes, it was very effective for me. The only side effects that I noticed were increased appetite (very much so) and weight gain. I gained about 12-14 pounds within the 4.5 months that I was on Elavil. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. To be honest, the added pounds were worth being pain-free, but my wedding was in a few months, and nothing besides going off the medication would stop the weight gain. Now I'm taking Topamax, which is doing the job, but the side effects are way more drastic than Elavil."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I had daily migraines for several years. I have been prescribed many different preventatives but was taking 50 mg of Imitrex and 4 Tylenol #3 a day for pain relief. Since my neurologist started me on Elavil at 25 mg and finally building up to 50 mg a night (2 months ago), I have only used 2 Imitrex and no more Tylenol with Codeine. This is truly miraculous! The only downside is a 10 lb weight gain. I eat a pretty restricted diet to begin with (no butter or fats, lean meats/fish, and no sweets or snack foods). I am trying to further reduce my caloric intake to stop the weight gain. Anyway, I would rather be a little chubby and almost pain-free."

• hea...
• October 31, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I love my doctor for the introduction to Elavil. No more pounding headaches, vomiting, no more feelings of put me out of my misery! I had stopped taking my wonder pill after the first week, why? No headaches, but yes, I am gaining weight and feel as if I need a snack right after dinner. I am learning working out is a must as I am trying to get there. I just need the desire to do it."

• 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."

• Tin...
• March 2, 2015

For Insomnia "Works wonderfully for insomnia. Just the side effects are terrible. Headaches, drowsiness, and WEIGHT GAIN!"

• Anonymous
• June 19, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on 100 mg for 1 year now. Works great for sleep and pain. Downfall, I have gained 50 lbs."

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Started with 25 mg in 1987, increased to 100 mg recently. Overall, not that much different than the others, gained a lot of weight as with Neurontin, but it did help sleep and mood issues."