Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
<br><br>Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are an older class of drug first discovered in the 1950s. They were named after their chemical structure, which is composed of three interconnected rings of atoms.
<br><br>TCAs work similarly to reuptake inhibitors in that they block the absorption of serotonin and norepinephrine into nerve cells, as well as another neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine (which helps regulate the movement of skeletal muscles).
<br><br>Examples of TCAs include:
<ul>
    <ul>
        <li>Elavil (amitriptyline)**</li>
        <li>Norpramin (desipramine)</li>
        <li>Asendin (amoxapine)</li>
        <li>Anafranil (clomipramine)</li>
        <li>Pamelor (nortriptyline)</li>
        <li>Tofranil (imipramine)*</li>
        <li>Vivactil (protriptyline)</li>
        <li>Surmontil (trimipramine)</li>
        <li>Sinequan (doxepin)</li>
    </ul>








</ul><b>
Effects</b>
<br><br>
<ul><ul>
    <li><b>*Imipramine:</b> This drug produces an increase in slow activity, a decrease in alpha and high alpha, with an increase in the faster beta frequencies in the mid to upper 20 Hz range and up.&nbsp;<br><br></li>
    <li><b>&nbsp;**Amitriptyline:</b> This drug produces more slowing than imipramine, though the other effects are similar. This corresponds to an increased initial sedative effect and its use as a sleeping medication for sleep onset as well as the usual
        wakefulness effects of antidepressants. In epileptics, there are increases in paroxysmal discharges, which can be controlled normally with adjustments to the anti-epileptic medications.&nbsp;</li>
</ul></ul>

In addition to their use in depression, tricyclic antidepressants can help treat chronic pain. They were also once commonly used in children with attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) but have since been replaced with more effective drug agents with fewer side effects.