Citation

Judd F, Boyce P. Aust. Fam. Physician 1999; 28(8): 809-813.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade several new classes of antidepressants have become available for the treatment of depression. Their use has become widespread and some have suggested that the older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) should no longer be used as first line treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the place of TCAs in the treatment of depression.

DISCUSSION: The TCAs still have an important place in the treatment of depression. The newer agents are equally effective as the TCAs for treatment of mild to moderate depression, but there are indicators the TCAs are more efficacious for severe depression. The newer drugs have a different side effect profile and some potentially serious problems such as drug interactions and the serotonin syndrome. TCAs are potentially lethal in overdose, so their use in the suicidal patient must be accompanied by comprehensive clinical care, taking precautions to minimise risk of suicide.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; Adult; aged; Aged; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; case report; clinical trial; Clinical Trials; depression; Depressive Disorder; dose response; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; drug combination; drug interaction; Drug Interactions; Drug Therapy, Combination; female; Female; human; Humans; male; Male; middle aged; Middle Aged; prognosis; Prognosis; review; risk assessment; Risk Assessment; tricyclic antidepressant agent