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Side Effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants

As with any medication, there are possible side effects that can occur while taking a tricyclic antidepressant. Side effects that are commonly reported can include drowsiness, nausea, and headaches. If you experience more serious side effects of tricyclic antidepressants, such as hallucinations, seizures, or suicidal thoughts, be sure to report them immediately to your healthcare provider.

An Overview of Side Effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants

As with any type of medicine, there are possible side effects with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). However, not everyone who takes a tricyclic antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. When people do develop side effects, in many cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with tricyclic antidepressants. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with tricyclic antidepressants with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants

Each tricyclic antidepressant has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine.
 As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, some of the most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include:
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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