Elavil vs. Seroquel

• Are Elavil and Seroquel the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Elavil?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Seroquel?
• What Is Elavil?
• What Is Seroquel?
• What Drugs Interact with Elavil?
• What Drugs Interact with Seroquel?
• How Should Elavil Be Taken?
• How Should Seroquel Be Taken?

Elavil (amitryptiline) and Seroquel (quetiapine) are used to treat depression.

Elavil may also be used to treat other conditions including and mood disorders, nerve pain, eating disorders, anxiety, and panic disorders.

Seroquel is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Seroquel is also used to treat bipolar disorder.

The brand name Elavil is no longer available in the U.S. It is available as a generic.

Elavil and Seroquel belong to different drug classes. Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant and Seroquel is a psychotropic medication.

Side effects of Elavil and Seroquel that are similar include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weight gain, headache, and increased appetite/hunger.

Side effects of Elavil that are different from Seroquel include blurred vision, trouble urinating, and changes in taste.

Side effects of Seroquel that are different from Elavil include mood or behavior changes, stomach pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, sore throat, breast swelling or discharge, and missed menstrual periods.

Both Elavil and Seroquel may interact with alcohol, other products that cause drowsiness (antihistamines, drugs for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, and narcotics), antidepressants, antibiotics, heart rhythm medicines, blood pressure medicines, or tuberculosis medicine.

Elavil may also interact with MAO inhibitors, arbutamine, disulfiram, thyroid supplements, other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs, aspirin or other NSAIDs, "blood thinners"), anticholinergics, cimetidine, terbinafine, amiodarone, cisapride, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, phenothiazines, or theophylline.

Seroquel may also interact with antipsychotic medicines, cancer medicines, malaria medication, antiviral medicines to treat HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, antifungals, heart medicines, medicines to treat mental illness, St. John's wort, or seizure medicines.

Common side effects of Elavil include:

• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• weight gain,
• trouble urinating,
• headache,
• increased hunger, and
• changes in taste.

Common side effects of Seroquel include:

• fever,
• hot flashes,
• sensitivity to heat,
• sweating,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• irritability,
• nausea,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• changes in appetite or changes in weight,
• changes in menstrual perdiods,
• and temporary hair loss.

Elavil (amitryptiline) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and mood disorders. Elavil may also be used to treat other conditions including nerve pain, eating disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. The brand name Elavil is no longer available in the U.S.

Seroquel (quetiapine) is a psychotropic medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children who are at least 13 years old. Seroquel is also used in the treatment of major depression and bipolar disorder.

Elavil may also interact with MAO inhibitors, arbutamine, disulfiram, thyroid supplements, other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (antiplatelet drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], blood thinners), anticholinergic drugs, and certain drugs for high blood pressure.

Seroquel may interact with many different drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Elavil is taken by mouth in tablet form. The medication may take up to four weeks to take full effect.

Dosing preparations are 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg tablets.