Tricyclic antidepressants and tetracyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants affect brain chemicals to ease depression symptoms. Explore their possible side effects and whether one of these antidepressants may be a good option for you.
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, also called cyclic antidepressants, are among the earliest antidepressants developed. They're effective, but they've generally been replaced by antidepressants that cause fewer side effects. However, cyclic antidepressants may be a good option for some people. In certain cases, they relieve depression when other treatments have failed.
Cyclic antidepressants are designated as tricyclic or tetracyclic, depending on the number of rings in their chemical structure — three (tri) or four (tetra).
How cyclic antidepressants work
Cyclic antidepressants ease depression by affecting chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) used to communicate between brain cells. Like most antidepressants, cyclic antidepressants work by ultimately effecting changes in brain chemistry and communication in brain nerve cell circuitry known to regulate mood, to help relieve depression.
Cyclic antidepressants block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitters serotonin (ser-o-TOE-nin) and norepinephrine (nor-ep-ih-NEF-rin), increasing the levels of these two neurotransmitters in the brain. Cyclic antidepressants also affect other chemical messengers, which can lead to a number of side effects.
Cyclic antidepressants approved to treat depression
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved these tricyclic antidepressants to treat depression:
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Doxepin
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Protriptyline
- Trimipramine
The FDA approved the tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline to treat depression.
Sometimes cyclic antidepressants are used to treat conditions other than depression, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders or nerve-related (neuropathic) pain.
Possible side effects and cautions
Because of the different ways cyclic antidepressants work, side effects vary somewhat from medication to medication. Some side effects may go away after a time, while others may lead you and your doctor to try a different medication. Side effects may also be dependent on the dose, with higher doses often causing more side effects.
Some common possible side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting to standing, which can cause lightheadedness
- Urine retention
Other possible side effects include:
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite leading to weight gain
- Excessive sweating
- Tremor
- Sexual problems, such as difficulty achieving an erection, delayed org*sm or low sex drive
Generally speaking:
- Amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine and trimipramine are more likely to make you sleepy than other tricyclic antidepressants are. Taking these medications at bedtime may help.
- Amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine and trimipramine are more likely to cause weight gain than other tricyclic antidepressants are.
- Nortriptyline and desipramine appear to have better tolerated side effects than other tricyclic antidepressants do.
For antidepressants that cause sleepiness, be careful about doing activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car, until you know how the medication will affect you.
Which antidepressant is best for you depends on a number of issues, such as your symptoms and any other health conditions you may have. Ask your doctor and pharmacist about the most common possible side effects for your specific antidepressant and read the patient medication guide that comes with the prescription.
Safety issues
Some tricyclic antidepressants are more likely to cause side effects that affect safety, such as:
- Disorientation or confusion, particularly in older people when the dosage is too high
- Increased or irregular heart rate
- More-frequent seizures in people who have seizures
Other issues to discuss with your doctor before you take a cyclic antidepressant:
- Antidepressants and pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using specific antidepressants. Some antidepressants may harm your baby if you take them during pregnancy or while you're breast-feeding. If you're taking an antidepressant and you're considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about the possible risks. Don't stop taking your medication without contacting your doctor first, as stopping might pose risks for you.
- Drug interactions. When taking an antidepressant, tell your doctor about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbs or other supplements you're taking. Some antidepressants can cause dangerous reactions when combined with certain medications or herbal supplements.
- Serotonin syndrome. Rarely, an antidepressant can cause high levels of serotonin to accumulate in your body. Serotonin syndrome most often occurs when two medications that raise the level of serotonin are combined. These include other antidepressants, certain pain or headache medications, and the herbal supplement St. John's wort.
- Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include anxiety, agitation, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors, restlessness, lack of coordination, major changes in blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these signs and symptoms.
- Safety and blood tests. Your doctor may recommend blood levels to determine the most effective dose. Some side effects and benefits of cyclic antidepressants depend on the dose. Overdose of cyclic antidepressants can be dangerous.
- Chronic health conditions. Cyclic antidepressants can cause problems in people with certain health conditions. For example, if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, heart problems, diabetes, liver disease or a history of seizures, talk to your doctor about whether a cyclic antidepressant is a safe choice for you.
Suicide risk and antidepressants
Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the FDA requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings, the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed.
Anyone taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for worsening depression or unusual behavior. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency help.
Keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood.
Stopping treatment with cyclic antidepressants
Cyclic antidepressants aren't considered addictive. However, stopping antidepressant treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms. Symptoms may vary depending on how the drug works. This is sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. Work with your doctor to gradually and safely decrease your dose.
Withdrawal-like symptoms can include:
- Agitation, irritability or anxiety
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Flu-like symptoms, such as chills and muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Headache
Finding the right antidepressant
People may react differently to the same antidepressant. For example, a particular drug may work better — or not as well — for you than for another person. Or you may have more, or fewer, side effects from taking a specific antidepressant than someone else does.
Inherited traits may play a role in how antidepressants affect you. In some cases, where available, results of special blood tests may offer clues about how your body may respond to a specific antidepressant. However, other variables besides genetics can affect your response to medication.
When choosing an antidepressant, your doctor takes into account your symptoms, any health problems, other medications you take, and what's worked for you in the past.
Typically, it may take several weeks or longer before an antidepressant is fully effective and for initial side effects to ease up. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments or different antidepressants, but with patience, you and your doctor can find a medication that works well for you.
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.
To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
March 30, 2022
- Depression: FDA-approved medications may help. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/depression-fda-approved-medications-may-help. Accessed Aug. 13, 2019.
- Depression basics. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed Aug. 13, 2019.
- Revisions to product labeling. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/77404/download. Accessed Aug. 13, 2019.
- Mental health medications. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml#part_149856. Accessed Aug. 13, 2019.
- Gabriel M, et al. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2017; doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991.
- What is pharmacogenomics? Genetics Home Reference. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/pharmacogenomics. Accessed Aug. 13, 2019.
- Hirsch M, et al. Tricyclic and tetracyclic drugs: Pharmacology, administration, and side effects. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Tricyclic antidepressants. Facts& Comparisons eAnswers. http://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Tetracyclic antidepressants. Facts& Comparisons eAnswers. http://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Ritter J, et al. Antidepressant drugs. In: Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020.
- Amitriptyline (prescribing information). Accord Healthcare Inc.; 2018. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1e6d2c80-fbc8-444e-bdd3-6a91fe1b95bd. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Amoxapine (prescribing information). Actavis Pharma Inc.; 2015. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a16297df-3158-48db-85e5-5cd506885556. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Norpramin (prescribing information). Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC; 2018. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=70b562ea-9f21-4e4a-b3ed-0590b2892f6a. Accessed Sept. 12, 2019.
- Doxepin (prescribing information). Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=20bfb8af-7933-4e5c-a2b5-010659d9125b. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Tofranil (prescribing information). SpecGx LLC; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1827a5aa-733a-49d9-89d9-48ea0367b230. Accessed Sept.12, 2019.
- Pamelor (prescribing information). Mallinckrodt Inc.; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e17dc299-f52d-414d-ab6e-e809bd6f8acb. Accessed Aug. 19, 2019.
- Protriptyline (prescribing information). West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2016. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=700abc58-9362-4ef5-9d7a-dd3c4d364d0a. Accessed Aug. 26, 2019.
- Trimipramine (prescribing information). Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4f31df66-7dc2-1f04-e054-00144ff88e88. Accessed Aug. 20, 2019.
- Maprotiline (prescribing information). Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2014. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c3ca69e6-1ea0-4c2c-abcb-7264b2e79a87. Accessed Sept. 12, 2019.
- Krieger CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Sept. 11, 2019.
Products and Services
See also
- Addison's disease
- Adjustment disorders
- Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
- Alzheimer's: New treatments
- Alzheimer's 101
- Understanding the difference between dementia types
- Alzheimer's disease
- Alzheimer's genes
- Alzheimer's drugs
- Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
- Alzheimer's stages
- Ambien: Is dependence a concern?
- Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
- Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
- Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
- Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
- Antidepressants: Side effects
- Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
- Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
- Antidepressants and pregnancy
- Atypical antidepressants
- Back pain
- Binge-eating disorder
- Blood Basics
- Borderline personality disorder
- Breastfeeding and medications
- Dr. Wallace Video
- Dr. Mark Truty (surgery, MN) better outcomes with chemo
- Can zinc supplements help treat hidradenitis suppurativa?
- Hidradenitis suppurativa wound care
- Celiac disease
- Child abuse
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- CJD - Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
- Clinical depression: What does that mean?
- Clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa
- Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Complicated grief
- Compulsive sexual behavior
- Concussion
- Concussion in children
- Concussion Recovery
- Concussion Telemedicine
- Coping with the emotional ups and downs of psoriatic arthritis
- Coping with the stress of hidradenitis suppurativa
- COVID-19 and your mental health
- Creating a hidradenitis suppurativa care team
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Cushing syndrome
- Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder)
- Delirium
- Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
- Depression, anxiety and exercise
- What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
- Depression during pregnancy
- Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
- Depression (major depressive disorder)
- Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
- Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions
- Diagnosing Alzheimer's
- Did the definition of Alzheimer's disease change?
- Dissociative disorders
- Vitamin C and mood
- Drug addiction (substance use disorder)
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- HABIT program orientation
- Hangovers
- Hashimoto's disease
- Headache
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Hidradenitis suppurativa and biologics: Get the facts
- Hidradenitis suppurativa and diet: What's recommended?
- Hidradenitis suppurativa and sleep: How to get more zzz's
- Hidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for weight-loss success
- Hidradenitis suppurativa: What is it?
- Hidradenitis suppurativa: When does it appear?
- Hidradenitis suppurativa: Where can I find support?
- How opioid use disorder occurs
- How to tell if a loved one is abusing opioids
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
- Hypothyroidism diet
- Hypothyroidism and joint pain?
- Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
- Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems?
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Insomnia
- Insomnia: How do I stay asleep?
- Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
- Intervention: Help a loved one overcome addiction
- Is depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis?
- Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective
- Kratom for opioid withdrawal
- Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?
- Lecanemab for Alzheimer's disease
- Living better with hidradenitis suppurativa
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Male depression: Understanding the issues
- Managing Headaches
- Managing hidradenitis suppurativa: Early treatment is crucial
- Hidradenitis suppurativa-related health risks
- MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
- Marijuana and depression
- Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Alzheimer's disease risk and lifestyle
- Mayo Clinic Minute: New definition of Alzheimer's changes
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Prevent migraines with magnetic stimulation
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Restless legs syndrome in kids
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Weathering migraines
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Women and Alzheimer's Disease
- Medication overuse headaches
- Meditation
- Memory loss: When to seek help
- Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
- Mental health providers: Tips on finding one
- Mental health
- Mental illness
- Migraine
- What is a migraine? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
- Migraine medicines and antidepressants
- Migraine FAQs
- Migraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?
- Migraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?
- Migraines and Vertigo
- Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
- Alleviating migraine pain
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Mindfulness exercises
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
- Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
- New Alzheimers Research
- Nicotine dependence
- Occipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?
- Ocular migraine: When to seek help
- Opioid stewardship: What is it?
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- Pain and depression: Is there a link?
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- What is pancreatic cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
- Infographic: Pancreatic Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Pancreatic Cancer Survivor
- Infographic: Pancreatic Cancers-Whipple
- Perimenopause
- Pituitary tumors
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Poppy seed tea: Beneficial or dangerous?
- Post COVID syndrome
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Prescription drug abuse
- Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Psychotherapy
- Reducing the discomfort of hidradenitis suppurativa: Self-care tips
- Restless legs syndrome
- Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Sleep disorders
- Sleep tips
- Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
- Staying active with hidradenitis suppurativa
- Stress symptoms
- Sundowning: Late-day confusion
- Support groups
- Surgery for hidradenitis suppurativa
- Symptom Checker
- Tapering off opioids: When and how
- Tianeptine: Is safe use possible?
- Tinnitus and antidepressants
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
- Traumatic brain injury
- Treating hidradenitis suppurativa: Explore your options
- Treating hidradenitis suppurativa with antibiotics and hormones
- Treatment of parathyroid disease at Mayo Clinic
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vagus nerve stimulation
- Valerian: A safe and effective herbal sleep aid?
- Vascular dementia
- Video: Alzheimer's drug shows early promise
- Video: Vagus nerve stimulation
- Vitamin B-12 and depression
- What are opioids and why are they dangerous?
- What are the signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa?
- Wilson's disease
- Xylazine
- Young-onset Alzheimer's
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Do not share pain medication
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Avoid opioids for chronic pain
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Be careful not to pop pain pills
.