Big Chemical Encyclopedia

Chemical substances, components, reactions, process design ...

Articles Figures Tables About

Tricyclic antidepressants disadvantages

The excellent clinical efficacy of the TCAs has been well documented and the pharmacokinetic profiles are favourable. The most serious disadvantage of the TCAs lies in their cardiotoxicity. Thus, with the exception of lofepramine, all the tricyclic antidepressants, including maprotiline, block the fast sodium channels in the heart which can lead to heart block and death. Approximately 15% of all patients with major depression die by suicide and a high proportion of these (up to 25%) do so by taking an overdose of TCAs. Such a dose can be as low as 5-10 times the recommended daily dose. [Pg.169]

There seems to be no reason for avoiding the concurrent use of benzodiazepines and tricyclics although the advantages and disadvantages remain the subject of debate. Other combinations of tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines would not be expected to behave differently from those described here. Some patients will possibly experience increased drowsiness and inattention with the more sedative antidepressants such as amitriptyline, particularly during the first few days, and this may be exaggerated by benzodiazepines such as diazepam. Driving risks may therefore be increased. [Pg.1232]


See other pages where Tricyclic antidepressants disadvantages is mentioned: [Pg.542]    [Pg.8]    [Pg.380]    [Pg.89]    [Pg.805]    [Pg.262]    [Pg.262]   
See also in sourсe #XX -- [ Pg.125 ]




SEARCH



Antidepressants disadvantages

Antidepressants, tricyclic

© 2024 chempedia.info