Antidepressants: TCAs Flashcards
What does TCA stand for?
Tricyclic antidepressants
What are the most common adverse effects of TCAs? (3)
Sedation
Orthostatic hypotension
Anticholinergic effects
What is the most dangerous effect of TCAs?
Cardiac toxicity
What is the mechanism of action of TCAs?
Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
What type of neurotransmitters are serotonin and norepinephrine?
Monamines
What are 4 examples of TCAs?
Amitriptyline
Clomipramine
Imipramine
Nortriptyline
TCAs block neuronal reuptake of NE (norepinephrine) and 5-HT(serotonin). As a result, TCAs increase the concentration of these transmitters at CNS synapses, and thereby _____ their effects.
Intensifies
Do all TCAs block the reuptake of NE AND 5-HT? Explain.
No; some TCAs block the reuptake of both NE and 5-HT, but others ONLY block the reuptake of NE!
If you take a TCA, will there be immediate therapeutic effects?
No, like SSRIs the biochemical effect (blocking of the transmitter reuptake) will occur within hours…BUT therapeutic effects develop over WEEKS
True or False: TCAs are often used beyond depression.
Explain
True; they are also used for treatment in bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia syndrome, and other uses
What are the most common adverse effects of TCAs?
Orthostatic hypotension
Anticholinergic effects
Sedation
What is the most serious of the common adverse responses to TCAs?
Orthostatic hypotension
TCAs can block muscarinic cholinergic receptors, which causes what kind of effects?
Remember cholinergic is associated with acetylcholine
What else can TCA block besides acetycholine?
Cant see
Cant pee
Cant spit
Cant shit
Histamine
TCAs: Too much receptor activation causes ______.
from the notes
Seizures
Can we combine TCAs with MAOIs? Why or why not?
No. That combination can lead to severe hypertension
