I agree with Maria. You'd have to take something everyday for it to be effective. I know that the Elavil didn't even start working for me until I was on it for at least two weeks. It has to get into your system to actually work. I've also been told that the dose that I'm on, which is low, only 20mg supposedly won't give me other side effects. I am gaining weight on it though, simply cause I can eat now without getting D