Tricyclic: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:01, 20 February 2025

Overview of tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic Antidepressants[edit]

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications that are primarily used to treat depression. They are named for their chemical structure, which contains three rings of atoms. TCAs were first discovered in the 1950s and have been used extensively in the treatment of mood disorders.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

TCAs work by inhibiting the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically norepinephrine and serotonin. By preventing the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters, TCAs increase their levels in the synaptic cleft, thereby enhancing neurotransmission and improving mood.

Common Tricyclic Antidepressants[edit]

Some of the most commonly prescribed TCAs include:

Uses[edit]

While primarily used to treat depression, TCAs are also effective in treating a variety of other conditions, including:

Side Effects[edit]

TCAs are associated with a range of side effects due to their non-selective action on various neurotransmitter systems. Common side effects include:

More serious side effects can include cardiac arrhythmias, particularly in overdose situations, and orthostatic hypotension.

Contraindications[edit]

TCAs should be used with caution in patients with certain medical conditions, such as:

Comparison with Other Antidepressants[edit]

TCAs are often compared to other classes of antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). While TCAs are effective, they tend to have more side effects than these newer classes of medications, which has led to a decline in their use as first-line treatments.

History[edit]

The first TCA, imipramine, was discovered in the late 1950s. It was initially developed as an antipsychotic but was found to have antidepressant properties. This discovery led to the development of other TCAs and their widespread use in the treatment of depression.

Related Pages[edit]

Dibenzazepine
Phenothiazin
Imipramine
Amitriptyline
Iprindole
Tianeptine
Doxepin
Chlorpromazin
Thioridazine
Chlorprothixene
Loxapine
Clozapine

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Tricyclic Antidepressants ==
+{{Short description|Overview of tricyclic antidepressants}}
-Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications used primarily as [[antidepressants]]. They were discovered in the early 1950s and were among the first antidepressants to be developed. TCAs are named after their chemical structure, which contains three rings of atoms.
+==Tricyclic Antidepressants==
+Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications that are primarily used to treat [[depression]]. They are named for their chemical structure, which contains three rings of atoms. TCAs were first discovered in the 1950s and have been used extensively in the treatment of mood disorders.
-=== History ===
+==Mechanism of Action==
-The first TCA, [[imipramine]], was discovered in the 1950s and was initially used to treat [[schizophrenia]]. However, it was soon found to be more effective as an antidepressant. This discovery led to the development of other TCAs, such as [[amitriptyline]] and [[doxepin]].
+TCAs work by inhibiting the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically [[norepinephrine]] and [[serotonin]]. By preventing the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters, TCAs increase their levels in the synaptic cleft, thereby enhancing neurotransmission and improving mood.
-=== Mechanism of Action ===
+==Common Tricyclic Antidepressants==
-TCAs work by inhibiting the reuptake of [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[serotonin]] and [[norepinephrine]], increasing their levels in the brain. This action helps alleviate symptoms of depression. However, TCAs also affect other neurotransmitter systems, which can lead to a range of side effects.
+Some of the most commonly prescribed TCAs include:
-=== Uses ===
-While primarily used to treat [[major depressive disorder]], TCAs are also prescribed for other conditions such as [[anxiety disorders]], [[chronic pain]], and [[insomnia]]. Some TCAs, like [[clomipramine]], are used to treat [[obsessive-compulsive disorder]].
-=== Side Effects ===
-Common side effects of TCAs include [[dry mouth]], [[constipation]], [[urinary retention]], [[blurred vision]], and [[sedation]]. Due to their potential to cause [[cardiac arrhythmias]], they are considered more dangerous in overdose compared to other antidepressants.
-=== Examples ===
-Some well-known TCAs include:
-* [[Imipramine]]
 * [[Amitriptyline]]
-* [[Doxepin]]
 * [[Nortriptyline]]
+* [[Imipramine]]
 * [[Desipramine]]
+* [[Clomipramine]]
+==Uses==
+While primarily used to treat depression, TCAs are also effective in treating a variety of other conditions, including:
+* [[Anxiety disorders]]
+* [[Chronic pain]]
+* [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder]] (OCD)
+* [[Panic disorder]]
+* [[Migraine]] prophylaxis
-== Related Pages ==
+==Side Effects==
+TCAs are associated with a range of side effects due to their non-selective action on various neurotransmitter systems. Common side effects include:
+* [[Dry mouth]]
+* [[Constipation]]
+* [[Urinary retention]]
+* [[Blurred vision]]
+* [[Drowsiness]]
+More serious side effects can include [[cardiac arrhythmias]], particularly in overdose situations, and [[orthostatic hypotension]].
+==Contraindications==
+TCAs should be used with caution in patients with certain medical conditions, such as:
+* [[Cardiovascular disease]]
+* [[Glaucoma]]
+* [[Prostatic hypertrophy]]
+==Comparison with Other Antidepressants==
+TCAs are often compared to other classes of antidepressants, such as [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]] (SSRIs) and [[serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors]] (SNRIs). While TCAs are effective, they tend to have more side effects than these newer classes of medications, which has led to a decline in their use as first-line treatments.
+==History==
+The first TCA, [[imipramine]], was discovered in the late 1950s. It was initially developed as an antipsychotic but was found to have antidepressant properties. This discovery led to the development of other TCAs and their widespread use in the treatment of depression.
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Antidepressant]]
 * [[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]
+* [[Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor]]
 * [[Monoamine oxidase inhibitor]]
-* [[Antidepressant]]
-== Gallery ==
+[[Category:Antidepressants]]
+[[Category:Psychiatric drugs]]
 <gallery>
 File:Dibenzazepine.svg|Dibenzazepine
-File:Phenothiazin.svg|Phenothiazine
+File:Phenothiazin.svg|Phenothiazin
 File:Imipramine.svg|Imipramine
 File:Amitriptyline.svg|Amitriptyline
@@ Line 37: / Line 65: @@
 File:Tianeptine.svg|Tianeptine
 File:Doxepin.svg|Doxepin
-File:Chlorpromazin.svg|Chlorpromazine
+File:Chlorpromazin.svg|Chlorpromazin
 File:Thioridazine.svg|Thioridazine
-File:Chlorprothixene_structure.svg|Chlorprothixene
+File:Chlorprothixene structure.svg|Chlorprothixene
 File:Loxapine.svg|Loxapine
 File:Clozapine.svg|Clozapine
-File:Promethazine.svg|Promethazine
-File:Cyproheptadine.svg|Cyproheptadine
-File:Dimebolin.svg|Dimebolin
-File:Loratadine.svg|Loratadine
-File:Rupatadine.svg|Rupatadine
-File:Carbamazepine.svg|Carbamazepine
-File:Carvedilol.svg|Carvedilol
-File:Cyclobenzaprine.svg|Cyclobenzaprine
-File:Pizotifen.svg|Pizotifen
 </gallery>
-{{Reflist}}
-[[Category:Antidepressants]]