Examples
| amitriptyline |
|
| clomipramine |
Anafranil |
| desipramine |
Norpramin |
| imipramine |
Tofranil |
| nortriptyline |
Aventyl, Pamelor |
How It Works
TCAs improve your mood by increasing the
levels of certain chemicals in the brain (
neurotransmitters
).
In low doses, these
medicines may cause drowsiness and sleep. This can be helpful when sleep
disorders are a symptom of PMS.
Why It Is Used
TCAs may be used if PMS is
causing:
- Severe depression.
- Sleep
disturbances.
How Well It Works
Some women who have severe premenstrual
depression benefit from TCAs. TCAs have not been studied as much as selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for their specific effects on PMS mood
symptoms.
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Hives.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- Agitation and restlessness.
- Seizures.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Dry mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness.
- Headache.
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide.
See
Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not
available in all systems.)
What To Think About
You may start to feel better in 1 to 3 weeks of taking antidepressant medicine. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. If you have questions or concerns about your medicines or if you do not notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are taken orally every day
throughout the menstrual cycle for
premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Typically, a low
dose is given at first, and the dosage is increased slowly until the medicine
takes effect. This helps minimize side effects.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the
new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a
PDF
document?)
to help you understand this medication.
Credits
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
Last Revised
| June 8, 2012 |
