Tricyclic antidepressants are prescription medicines that are primarily approved to treat depression. This eMedTV page explains how these medications can affect chemicals in the brain, lists some side effects, and offers general dosing tips.
Common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include nausea, fatigue, and a dry mouth. This eMedTV segment describes other common tricyclic antidepressant side effects and also lists the side effects that may need immediate medical attention.
Tricyclic antidepressants are primarily used for the treatment of depression in adults. However, as this eMedTV page explains, there are several off-label uses of tricyclic antidepressants, such as helping people quit smoking and preventing migraines.
This eMedTV page examines several precautions and warnings with tricyclic antidepressants, such as those relating to potential allergic reactions. This page also covers who should not take tricyclic antidepressants.
A dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants. This portion of the eMedTV library describes some suggestions that can help if you are taking tricyclic antidepressants and a dry mouth develops.
This eMedTV page discusses the results of clinical studies of tricyclic antidepressants and suicide, explaining that the medication can cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. This page also lists who is at a higher risk for suicidal behavior.
It may not be safe to take tricyclic antidepressants when pregnant. This eMedTV resource explores tricyclic antidepressants and pregnancy in more detail, explaining why the FDA has not assigned a pregnancy risk classification to most of the drugs.
Tricyclic antidepressants may pass through breast milk. This portion of the eMedTV archives talks about the risks of taking tricyclic antidepressants and breastfeeding at the same time, and explains the importance of talking to your physician.
