Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) FAQ
Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA
Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
- What are tricyclic antidepressants, and how do they work?
- For what conditions are tricyclic antidepressants used?
- Are there differences among tricyclic antidepressants?
- What are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants?
- With which drugs do tricyclic antidepressants interact?
- What are the available tricyclic antidepressants in the U.S.?
What are tricyclic antidepressants, and how do they work?
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of antidepressant medications that share a similar chemical structure and biological effects. Scientists believe that patients with depression may have an imbalance in neurotransmitters, chemicals that nerves make and use to communicate with other nerves. Tricyclic antidepressants increase levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters, and block the action of acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter. Scientists believe that by restoring the balance in these neurotransmitters in the brain that tricyclic antidepressants alleviate depression. In addition to relieving depression, tricyclic antidepressants also cause sedation and block the action of histamine.
For what conditions are tricyclic antidepressants used?
Tricyclic antidepressants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating several types of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bedwetting.
In addition, they are used for several off-label (non-FDA approved) uses such as:
- panic disorder,
- bulimia,
- chronic pain (for example, migraine, tension headaches, diabetic neuropathy, and post herpetic neuralgia),
- phantom limb pain,
- chronic itching, and
- premenstrual symptoms.
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