TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS

USES

DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

How to take:
Tablet, capsule or syrup -- Swallow with liquid.
When to take:
At the same time each day, usually at bedtime.
If you forget a dose:
Bedtime dose -- If you forget your once-a-day bedtime dose, don't
take it more than 3 hours late. If more than 3 hours, wait for
next scheduled dose. Don't double this dose.
What drug does:
Probably affects part of brain that controls messages between
nerve cells.

Time lapse before drug works:
Begins in 1 to 2 weeks. May require 4 to 6 weeks for maximum
benefit.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Hallucinations, respiratory failure, fever, cardiac arrhythmias,
convulsions, coma.
WHAT TO DO:

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
Seizures. Seek emergency treatment
immediately.
Common:

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:

Before you start, consult your doctor:

Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink
alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses
of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
No age-related problems expected.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS

Anticoagulants (oral,	Possible increased
see Drugs Glossary)	anticoagulant effect.
Anticholinergics	Increased anticholinergic effect.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Antihistamines	Increased antihistamine effect.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Barbiturates	Decreased antidepressant effect.
(see Drugs Glossary)	Increased sedation.
Benzodiazepines	Increased sedation.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Cimetidine	Possible increased tricyclic
	antidepressant effect and toxicity.
Clonidine	Possible decreased clonidine
	effect.
Disulfiram	Delirium.
Ethchlorvynol	Delirium.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanabenz	Decreased guanabenz effect.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Guanethidine	Decreased guanethidine effect.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Levodopa	May increase blood pressure.
Lithium	Possible decreased seizure
	threshold.
Loxapine	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
MAO inhibitors	Fever, delirium,
(see Drugs Glossary)	convulsions.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Methyldopa	Possible decreased methyldopa
	effect.
Methylphenidate	Possible increased tricyclic
	antidepressant effect and toxicity.
Molindone	Increased molindone effect.
Narcotics	Oversedation.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Phenothiazines	Possible
(see Drugs Glossary)	increased tricyclic antidepressant
	effect and toxicity.
Phenytoin	Decreased phenytoin effect.
Procainamide	Possible irregular heartbeat.
Quinidine	Possible irregular heartbeat.
Sedatives	Dangerous
(see Drugs Glossary)	oversedation.
Sympathomimetics	Increased
(see Drugs Glossary)	sympathomimetic effect.
Thyroid hormones	Irregular heartbeat.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Marijuana:	Excessive drowsiness. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Possible decreased tricyclic
	antidepressant effect.
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