15 year old on Elavil

[Judi1963]

My 15 year old daughter started suffering from migraine headaches on November 12.  She has been seen by a Neurologist and was originally prescribed Imitrex and Maxalt.  She is now taking Elavil 25mg, 1 at bedtime since Dec 6.  She has been showing symptons of loss of appetite for the past several days and seems very moody, like she has an I don't care attitude.  This is not like my daughter. She is  5 ' 5" and 100 lbs and loss of appetite is a bad thing. Even more so is the moodiness. Can something be done to alleviate this?  Like a smaller dose?  It has helped with the headaches though. I just dom't want to see my normal happy daughter, drag around the house or not care about anything.

[LifesAHeadache]

Thanks for the info - I don't like this approach for a peds patient at all.  The child is headache free at present.  Depending on weight, why not try three or four advil if no GI issue is present and headache comes back, then if chonic go back to neuro and try Inderal or Topamax.  Imitrex, Maxalt mess with more than just the head and these meds by law cannot be trialed on children.   I am going to do more research on rebound headache because I don't buy half of it.  I would not think that Imitrex could be addictive.  I mean in the strict sense of the word - maybe psychologically addictive if it removes headache but you are not getting rebound headache in a few days of treatment.  Has there been true research showing that at some point if you stop imitrex, blood vessels start restricting?  Withdrawals start? - I am no expert so I am only trying to learn.

[jcmk1281]

I was at least told by my neuro and pharmacist that you can take both of them together. but they recommended that they not be taken within the same 24 hr period, for the risk blood pressure changes and rebound headaches. and neither med i was told to take for more than 3 days a week.

also just a side note, the imitrex is more addictive than the maxalt and there is an increased incidence of rebound headaches than with maxalt.

jcmk1281

[LifesAHeadache]

Glad to hear she is doing OK - The doctor is right never stop these cold turkey and I'm sorry my post didn't make that clear - thanks to Dr G for making it clear.  Be careful with the Imitrex, read the pamphet inside.  I am not a doctor but have real concern about Imitrex especially in peds patients.

Dr G, I haven't looked it up but can you take Imitrex and Maxalt together?

[Judi1963]

My daughter's Elavil was lowered to 10mg for 4 days then she was taken off completely.  Immediatley her mood changed back to happy and excited about things.  Her appetite also has returned, and so far the headaches have not returned.  She has been given Imitrex nose spray and Maxalt tabs to try for future headaches.  Thanks everyone for your concern!!

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

From what I understand about your daughter's symptoms, it would appear that the moodiness and loss of appetite could indeed side effects of amitriptyline. However, these symptoms are not emergent conditions and should never be cause enough to immediately stop taking the medication.

The risk of withdrawal symptoms are significant with this drug and it would be best to have a physician taper off her dose until full discontinuation to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms, some of which could persist for a long time even after drug discontinuation.

Consult your daughter's physician as soon as possible to have her drug tapered off and changed.

Good luck.

[LifesAHeadache]

Judi,  put in an emergency call to the doctor.  Tricyclics which Elevil is one of has not shown the suicide risk as much as the SSRI's.  Pretty sure on this, even the SSRI's are pretty low but if your daughter has shown mood change get her off the Elevil.  I don't care if you have to take her to the ER or even cal the pharmacist.  25 mg is not a large dose but everyone is different and MOOD CHANGE IS DANGEROUS IN PEDIATRICS.

[kesha16]

Hi.  I was placed on Elavil at the age of 19 for migraines and all it did for me was make me sleep much more and I continued to get migraines.  That same doctor placed me on Inderal which I am trying to get help to get off of now.  Please be very cautious as to which meds you let your daughter take because they could cause more harm than good in the long run.  I wish you and your daughter luck.

[noops01]

Hi,

Yes i think she will have to be weaned off even if she has been taking it for 8 days. Although it should'nt take very long. Please make sure that you let the doctor know immediately even if it is over the phone that she is experiencing mood changes and crying spells.

[Judi1963]

Thanks,

I am trying to get in to see the Neurologist my appt is for Dec 18.  But this morning she woke up crying and couldn't explain why, she just said she feels very sad and that she doesn't care about anything.  I have another call into the doctor now.  Considering she has only been on the Elavil for 8 days, does she have to be weened off and how long does that take?

[noops01]

Hi,

Please contact your doctor immediately as the mood changes are most likely due to elavil. Either the dose has to be adjusted or she needs to be put on another drug.Please keep in mind that elavil can cause depression and suicidal thoughts.

[noops01]

Hi,

Please contact your doctor immediately as the mood changes are most likely due to elavil. Either the dose has to be adjusted or she needs to be put on another drug.