Tricyclic antidepressants

Polypharmacy guidance: realistic prescribing
Scottish Government Effective Prescribing & Therapeutics Division
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Chapter 4: Central nervous system and psychotropic medication

Confirm need (First episode: Treat for 6-9 months; Second + episode: Treat for ≥2 years)

  • CAUTION: Anticholinergic ADRs. See Anticholinergics. SSRIs are better tolerated in the elderly
  • CAUTION: Risk of GI bleeding may be increased
  • Avoid combination with MAOIs because of the risk of serotonin syndrome