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Precautions and Warnings With Tricyclic Antidepressants

There are several precautions and warnings with tricyclic antidepressants. For example, it's important to know that these drugs may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, affect the heart and its electrical system, and make schizophrenia worse. You should not take tricyclic antidepressants if you have had a recent heart attack or have taken an MAOI within the past two weeks.

 

Tricyclic Antidepressants: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
 tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Drink alcohol regularly.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Precautions and Warnings With Tricyclic Antidepressants Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;