Sedatives & Hypnotics
Amitriptyline & Tricyclics (Elavil)
Street names: Elavil, Amitriptyline 10/25/50, TCA, Nortriptyline (cousin)
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Tricyclic antidepressant — heavy sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision (anticholinergic load)
- At low doses (10–25 mg) prescribed for nerve pain, migraines and IBS rather than depression
- Generic and extremely cheap — prescribed for decades
⚠Key risks
- NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX: a few pills above a prescription dose can kill — tricyclic overdose causes fatal heart arrhythmias and is a leading toxicology fatality
- A single adult-strength tablet can be lethal to a small child — keep locked away
- Mixing with alcohol, benzos or opioids multiplies sedation and breathing risk; MAOIs and tramadol push serotonin danger
- In overdose it paradoxically causes agitation, seizures and hallucinations BEFORE coma
✚Overdose signs
- Fast then irregular heartbeat, seizures, hallucinations, hot dry skin, dilated pupils, then coma
- ANY suspected tricyclic overdose is a call-911-now event — do not wait for symptoms
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amitriptyline & Tricyclics (Elavil) | Rx-only — not a controlled substance; one of the MOST dangerous common drugs in overdose | NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX: a few pills above a prescription dose can kill — tricyclic overdose causes fatal heart arrhythmias and is a leading toxicology fatality; A single adult-strength tablet can be lethal to a small child — keep locked away | Pennies per tablet generic |
| Zolpidem (Ambien/Stilnox) | Schedule IV | Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, hallucinations; Dependence and rebound insomnia | ~$2–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
| Secobarbital (Seconal) | Schedule II | Barbiturates: tiny margin between dose and death; Fatal in overdose, brutal withdrawal (seizures) — replaced by benzos in medicine | ~$15–$40 per capsule where diverted |
| Carisoprodol (Soma) | Schedule IV | Converts to meprobamate (Miltown) — dependence; Popular 'Soma Coma' mix with opioids — deadly | ~$1–$8 per 350 mg tablet |
| Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) | Not scheduled | Overdose causes hallucinations, seizures, heart rhythm problems; Abuse usually in combination (potentiates opioids) | ~$1–$5 per 10 mg tablet |
| Pentobarbital (Nembutal) | Schedule II | Veterinary euthanasia drug — overdose is usually fatal; Narrow safety margin (barbiturate) | ~$30–$100+ per vial/capsule-equivalent |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
RxBrand names on the grey market
These brands are sold as this compound. Same molecule, different label and supply chain — quality varies enormously between them.
Elavil
?Frequently asked questions
What does Amitriptyline & Tricyclics (Elavil) look like?
Small round tablets 10–150 mg; also used in low doses for nerve pain and migraine prevention
What are the signs of a Amitriptyline & Tricyclics (Elavil) overdose?
Fast then irregular heartbeat, seizures, hallucinations, hot dry skin, dilated pupils, then coma; ANY suspected tricyclic overdose is a call-911-now event — do not wait for symptoms Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX: a few pills above a prescription dose can kill — tricyclic overdose causes fatal heart arrhythmias and is a leading toxicology fatality Dependence can develop with regular use.