Tricyclic Antidepressants

[Spidy]

Basic Description of Tricylic Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants are an older class of antidepressants than the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The name "tricyclic" comes from the shape of the drug's molecule: three circles. These antidepressants work by helping norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters, work more effectively in the brain.
Why Tricyclic Antidepressants Are Prescribed: Studies of the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants as a treatment for panic disorder began as early as the 1960s, when the tricyclics first became available. Some researchers believe that low levels of serotonin may be responsible for the symptoms of panic disorder, and early studies began to show that the tricyclic antidepressants helped panic disorder as well as depression. The tricyclics generally are not the first line of treatment for panic disorder due to their side effects. However, they can be an option for people who do not respond to the newer medications.
Side Effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants tend to cause more side effects than newer antidepressants, such as the SSRIs.
The most common side effects of the tricyclic antidepressants are:

dry mouth
constipation
bladder problems (such as difficulty urinating)
sexual problems
blurred vision
dizziness
drowsiness
Additionally, tricylic antidepressants may cause the following side effects: increased heart rate, headache, sun sensitivity, increased appetite and weight gain, nausea, weakness and confusion.
What to Do About Side Effects: For people with panic disorder, the side effects may be worse at first and may include feelings of "jitteriness." These feelings may be alleviated by starting with a lower dosage (and, in fact, panic disorder may be treated successfully with tricyclics by using lower dosages than with depression). Other side effects may be managed (such as by reducing drowsiness by taking the medication at night) and/or may diminish over time. If one tricyclic causes side effects for an individual, a different one might not. Your doctor should know about all side effects in case they indicate a serious problem.
Tricyclic Antidepressants and Other Health Problems: Tricyclic antidepressants may cause problems for people with certain health conditions. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor will need to monitor you, so be sure to let your doctor know. These conditions include: cardiovascular disease, history of urinary retention, narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid disease, increased intraocular pressure, and seizure disorders.
The Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Anafranil (clomipramine)

Asendin (amoxapine)

Elavil (amitriptyline, Endep)

Ludiomil (maprotiline)

Norpramin (desipramine, Pertofrane)

Pamelor (nortriptyline)

Sinequan (doxepin, Adapin)

Tofranil (imipramine)

Vivactil (protriptyline)


thanks,
spidy.

[minxy]

hello spidy , so how do u doing man , read urs thread sounds really helpful for the members who are on medication and also for the members who want to go for the medication , keep it up man .

thanks,
minxy.

[mickelvine]

Antidepressants (http://www.mydepressionmedication.com/tricyclic-antidepressants) are the best stimulus in the process to empower depressed people to have positive thinking and raise themselves esteem, because at the beginning it is quite difficult to think about and do this. Taking anti-depressants helps a lot of people to shift their moods and then these medications give them the possibility to work on other therapies.

[wswillsmithe]

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