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Tricylic AntidepressantsProper use of this medication: * This medication is not addictive, and does not cause a high feeling. * Take this medication exactly as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than prescribed. Do not miss any doses. * If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. * Tricyclic antidepressants may be taken with or without food. * When taken regularly, this medication may require 2-4 weeks before the full effects are noticed. * Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. * If there is a possibility you may become pregnant or breast-feed while on this medication, consult with your psychiatrist before taking this medication. * This medication should not be discontinued without first consulting with your psychiatrist. Potential withdrawal symptoms include: nausea, headache, dizziness, chills, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, insomnia, irritability. * Store this medication in a cool, safe place away from the reach of children. This medication is usually very well tolerated. However possible side effects include: * Drowsiness: This is usually a problem only during the first few days of starting or increasing the dose. Be cautious with driving and operating dangerous machinery until this symptom clears up. If this occurs, take this medication 1 hour before bedtime. This usually goes away with continued use. * Dizziness: This may occur when you get up too quickly or rapidly change positions. Avoid this by changing positions slowly, especially during the night. * Constipation: High-fiber diet (bran, fresh fruit [especially pineapple], whole-grain cereals and breads, etc.), plenty of fluids, and regular exercise may treat this side effect. * Dry Mouth: This may disappear with continued use. Dry mouth may increase risk of dental disease. Chew sugarless gum, suck on sugarless candy, drink plenty of water, and brush at least daily with fluoridated toothpaste. * Difficulty passing urine: If this becomes a problem and continues, contact your physician. * Blurred Vision: This is usually temporary, rarely serious, and diminishes with continued use. Contact your physician if severe. * Weight gain: Exercise regularly. * Changes in menstruation * Sexual Difficulties: Decreased sexual desire and difficulty achieving orgasm may occur. Discuss this with your physician for treatment options. * If any side effect persists or becomes intolerable, discuss this with your physician. * Inform your physician if you either currently or in the past have had a seizure or heart problem. * Occasionally blood tests may be helpful to determine the proper dose for you. These blood levels should be taken 12 hours after your last dose of the antidepressant. The following other medications may require dosage adjustment while taking tricyclic antidepressants: * Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: Isocarboxazid/Marplan, Tranylcypromine/Parnate, Phenelzine/Nardil, St.John's Wort. * Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Fluoxetine/Prozac, Paroxetine/Paxil, Sertraline/Zoloft, Fluvoxamine/Luvox, Venlafaxine/Effexor. * Carbamazepine/Tegretol, Chloral Hydrate, Phenytoin/Dilantin, Trihexyphenidyl/Artane may lower effectiveness. * Methylphenidate/Ritalin, Chloramphenicol, Haloperidol/Haldol, Phenothiazines (certain anti-psychotic medications), Cimetidine/Tagamet, Coumadin/Warfarin, Disulfiram/Antabuse. * Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may raise blood levels of tricyclics. * Cisapride/Propulsid. * Use of some over-the-counter cold preparations (especially antihistamines) may result in increased side effects. * Cigarette smoking may decrease or increase blood levels of tricyclic antidepressants. * Use of marijuana may result in serious toxic reactions. |
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