Medicating sleeplessness has been an ongoing, if inexact, science spanning centuries. Greeks and Romans used valerian and St. John’s wort to fight off insomnia and those herbal remedies are in use still. Summary. Amitriptyline (Endep [Elavil - this brand name drug is no longer available in the U.S.])is an antidepressant medication. In patients with depression, abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters may relate to their depression. Rated Amitriptyline (Elavil) for Insomnia Report. I was diagnosed with depression 2 years ago. We did not find a pill that worked, until my recent hospitalisation, where I tried Zoloft. Most people experience insomnia at some point in their lives. There are a variety of causes of insomnia like stress, grief, medications, and poor sleep lifestyle habits. Treatment goals are geared toward treating any underlying diseases that may be causing you sleepless nights. Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which people have trouble sleeping. They may have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep as long as desired. Amitriptyline is a prescription drug that's used to treat depression. Besides depression, amitriptyline can be used off-label to treat post-herpetic neuralgia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, certain eating disorders, to prevent migraines and to help with sleep problems. Amitriptyline is also used to treat pain associated with a. Elavil (amitriptyline) regulates mood and treats nerve pain, but has more side effects than alternatives. Effexor (venlafaxine) is good for treating depression and anxiety, but it can cause more withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly compared to other antidepressants. Amitriptyline is one of the most frequently used drugs to treat chronic pain. Dr Mick Serpell explains how amitriptyline works and gives reassurance about the side effects that you might experience, especially in the early stages Amitriptyline (Elavil) is used for treating depression. It can also be used off-label for treating post-herpetic neuralgia, ADHD and certain eating disorders. Glossary Insomnia. Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall asleep and or stay asleep, early morning awakening or non- refreshing sleep lasting for at least one month and is associated with functional impairment.