Tricyclic Antidepressants  These are the oldest form of antidepressant available.  They are just as effective as the newer SSRIs and SNRIs.  They may have slightly more side effects and are dangerous in overdose. Common Side Effects  ☁a dry mouth ☁slight tremour ☁fast heartbeat ☁constipation ☁sleepiness  ☁weight gain ☁Particularly in older people there may be confusion, ☁slowness in starting and stopping when urinating, ☁faintness through low blood pressure and falls.  ☁If you have heart problems it may be best that you do NOT take this type of antidepressant. Tricyclic antidepressants are dangerous in overdose.   How should they be taken? some of the older Tricyclic antidepressants start you off on a lower dose and work you up to the therapeutic dose over a couple of weeks.  You need to keep in touch with your GP during this time because if you dont have the dose increased you could be taking a dose that is too small to have any beneficial effect on the depression.   Try not to be put off if you experience any side effects as many of them wear off in a couple of days.   DON'T STOP the tablets unless the side effects are unpleasant.  If this happens you need an URGENT appointment with your GP . If you feel worse whilst taking the tablets then you MUST tell your GP so they can decide whether or not the tablet is the right one for you.  Your GP will also want to know if you get any increased feeling of RESTLESSNESS or AGITATION. Take  them EVERYDAY - if you don't take them they won't work!!! WAIT for them to WORK - most people find that they take 1-2 weeks to start working and maybe as long as 6 weeks until the desired effect is reached. PESEVERENCE - stopping the treatment too early is the commonest reason for people not getting better and for the depression to return. AVOID ALCOHOL - not only can it make your depression worse BUT it can make you slow and drowsy when taking antidepressants. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN - as with any medication BUT especially important with tricyclic antidepressants as they are so dangerous in overdose for adults so LETHAL for children.  Tempted to OVERDOSE? Tell your GP as soon as possible and TELL somebody straight away and give them your tablets to remove the risk factor as overdose of Tricyclic Antidepressants is DANGEROUS. Tell your GP about any changes in how you feel after doses have been changed.  How Long will I have to take them for? Antidepressants do not necessarily treat the cause of the depression or take it away completely.  It is thought that without any treatment most depressions get better after 8 months.  If you stop taking the antidepressants before 8 or 9 months is up then the syptoms of depression are likely to come back.  The current recommendations from the Royal College of Pychiatrists is that you continue to take the medication for 6 months after you begin to feel better.  It is worthwhile thinking of what actually made you vulnerable and triggered off your depression so that you can make it less likely to happen again.  If you have had two or more attacks of depression then treatment should be continued for at least two years.  what impact will these tablets have on my life? Antidepressants can help you to get better quicker as Depression can affect your ability to look after yourself and baby and to enjoy life.  The tablets will be prescribed by your GP and apart from maybe experiencing some side effects they should have very little impact o your life.    You will be able to carry on with your life as normal.  Some people whom have been depressed for a long time may find that their partner has become used to the depressed person they therefore may find it difficult when the partner changes and has a more positve outlook, in this scenario to avoid friction things must be discussed openly.  What happens if I don't take them?  It is difficult to say as it is thought that most depressions resolve themself after 8 months.  However with a new baby this is a huge part of the babies life to try and cope with things and babies will always find you a new challenge.  If your depression is mild you will probably not be prescribed antidepressants but other treatments.  Tricyclic Antidepressants in common use       MEDICATION                           TRADE NAME ★AMITRIPTYLINE                  TRYPTIZOL ★CLOMIPRAMINE                   ANAFRANIL ★DOSULEPLIN                       PROTHIADEN ★DOXEPIN                           SINEQUAN ★IMIPRAMINE                      TOFRANIL ★LOFEPRAMINE                     GAMINIL ★NORTRIPTYLINE                  ALLEGRON ★TRAZODONE                       MOLIPAXIN      (Tricyclic Related)