User:Mr. Ibrahem/Tricyclic antidepressant

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications primarily used for depression, when SSRIs are not effective, and for neuropathic pain. Other uses include migraine prevention, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. While they work as well as SSRIs for depression, they are associated with greater side effects particularly in overdose. They are taken by mouth.

Side effects may include dry mouth, urinary retention, and blurry vision. Severe side effects may include heart arrhythmia, low blood pressure, and seizures. Tricyclic antidepressant overdose can result in death. Stopping suddenly can result in withdrawal. They are believed to work by blocking reuptake of and therefore increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Tricyclic antidepressants came into medical use in the late 1950s. There use has been mostly been replaced by other agents, beginning in the 1980s. A number are available as generic medications and are relatively inexpensive. They are named after their chemical structure, which contains three rings of atoms.