tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic Antidepressants

What Are Tricyclic Antidepressants Used To Treat?

Tricyclic Antidepressants are used in the treatment of:

How Do They Work?

They work against depression by stopping or slowing down the absorption of chemicals in the brain called noradrenaline and Serotonin. These chemicals are involved in the transmission of signals down the nerves in the brain.

In treating bedwetting in children, they affect the muscles controlling the bladder which are used in urinating.

What Are The Possible Side-Effects?

Side-effects will be discussed as we consider each specific drug.

The Tricyclic Antidepressants Available

Medicines tend to have more than one name. They have a general name (called the non-proprietary name), and a name given to them by the drug company that makes them (called the proprietary name). This can be very confusing, so we will list the Tricyclic Antidepressants by writing the non-proprietary name first, followed by the propriatary names in brackets. Just Click on the one that interests you.

Amitriptyline (Tryptizol, Domical, Lentizol, Limbitrol, Triptafen)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Lofepramine (Gamanil)

Quick Facts

Imipramine seems to be the least sedating (making you tired).
Amitriptyline seems to be the most sedating
Clomipramine & Imipramine seem to be the least likely to cause side-effects.

* RECOMMENDED BOOKS *

If you are interested in going into even more depth, the following book(s), sold by Amazon.co.uk, are recommended by us. Each is followed by a rating for ease of reading (1-3).

1=Simple and Easy to comprehend.
2=More Complex but still a good read.
3=Very Complex, only for professionals/those studying to degree level.

British National Formulary (Mehta)

RATING SCORE = 3 This the standard reference book for professionals (nurses, doctors etc) who prescribe and give out medication.

Consumer's Guide To Psychiatric Drugs (Preston et al)

RATING SCORE = 2 Attempts to use straightforward, plain English, despite all the jargon that is around medication. Not a bad job at all!

The Complete Guide To Psychiatric Drugs: Straight Talk For Best Results (Drummond)

RATING SCORE = 2 Another good attempt to simplify medication so that most of us can at least try to understand.

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