CRIS

 TCA's 

Tricyclic Antidepressants

I. PURPOSE:
Antidepressants are used primarily to treat symptoms of depression such as appetite loss, difficulty sleeping, low energy, and low or depressed mood. These medications are also used to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In children and adolescents, they are also used for bed-wetting and problems with attention and hyperactivity.

II. SPECIFIC MEDICATIONS:

• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Doxepin (Sinequan)
• Clormpramine (Anafranil) (Used primarily for obsessive compulsive disorder)

III. SIDE EFFECTS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Common side effects that may improve over time include dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, and difficulty in urination. If you experience constipation, you can use bran cereal or fiber to help with this. Sugarless candy or gum may help with dry mouth. Inform your physician if any of these side effects occur, and also, if they do not improve with time.

Uncommon, possibly serious, side effects include rash, tic symptoms (in children), irregular or fast heartbeat, confused thinking, seizures, excessive sweating, and decreased ability to tolerate heat. In men, these medicines may cause difficulty with erections. 

Trazodone (Desyrel) may cause priapism (continued painful erection) ‑contact your physician immediately. It may be necessary to get periodic blood level of the antidepressants. The blood should be drawn 10 hours after the last dosage (usually early in the morning if the medication was taken at bedtime the night before). The absorption of Trazodone is affected by taking it with food. You should always take it the same way either with or without food.

Store the drug in a cool, dry place, and see that refills of the medication are provided on a regular basis. if you should miss a dosage, do not take extra amounts of the medication. It is expected that you will be taking this medication for a period of months.

Inform all other treating physicians of your treatment with this medication. Avoid the use of intoxicating drugs or alcohol. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until making sure you can do so safely while taking this medication. Report any side effects to your therapist and physician.

COMMENTS:                                                                                              

IV. By signing, I acknowledge receiving this medication information and verbal explanations.

Client Responsible Person                                            Date                         

Physician/Therapist                                                     Date                          

Gratefully acknowledge Wake County Human Services Staff Psychiatrists who have generously given us permission adapt their original patient education material

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