What is tricyclic antidepressants?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are drugs developed to treat depression. They are now used less often, but they were very used in the fifties and later. The arrival of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI and SNRI) have reduced the use of tricyclic antidepressants because many of them were similar in a similar way, especially SNRIS, and has fewer side effects. There are still several reasons why TCA could be used, and they do not always relate to the treatment of depression.
- amitriptylin
- desipramine
- imipramine
- nortyptilin
- amoxapine
- doxepin
- Protriptyline
- trimipramine
people may know some tricyclic types of antidepressants better according to their brands, including Sinequan®, Pamelor®, Elavil®, Surmontil® and Vivctitil® among many NAMES. Their main action is to increase the available levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. Some of these drugs also affectAnd they increase the available serotonin levels, although not all of them do it. However, a suitable dosage may result in many side effects and the following is a partial list:
- Drowsiness
- dizziness
- drought in the mouth
- burglary
- fatigue
- a reduction in libido or the ability to achieve orgasm
- Fast heart rate
- changes in blood pressure
- weight gain
- taste changes to eating
- constipation
- urine changes
- nausea
Not all people experience all these symptoms. In general, it complains most about the drowsiness of these drugs, which can make it difficult to work during the day. Sometimes tricyclic antidepressant is prescribed primarily to help in sleep instead of the main antidepressant. These drugs can also be used for some people who suffer from chronic pain, treat some symptoms of attention disorder or treat symptoms of irritated intestinal disorders. Again, the side effects of these drugs are less preferred when there are alternatives with fewer side effects.
Another reason for many doctors hesitating to prescribe tricyclic antidepressants is that these drugs are extremely dangerous in the amount of overdose. Overdose can be fast and patients who are depressed can also be suicide. There is evidence that TCA, like many other antidepressants, can actually increase suicide in a percentage of patients. The last thing the doctor wants is to put a potentially deadly substance in the hands of a person who is deeply suicidal or could happen. SSRIS and SNRI have the advantage, because even in the amount of overdose they do not tend to cause so much damage.
On the other hand, there are patients who do not have to respond to SSRIS and SNRIS treatment and tricyclic antidepressant can be considered as possible alternative treatment, to which patients can respond better. Some patients' classes would allThey probably should not use these drugs, including those men with enlarged prostate and anyone with thyroid disorders. People who have diabetes are likely to require more monitoring of blood sugar, as TCA can affect blood sugar levels.