NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Pharmacology
/
Antidepressants
/
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview

Master Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Indications
picmonic thumbnail
Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Antidote
picmonic thumbnail
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Overview
picmonic thumbnail
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
picmonic thumbnail
Bupropion

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview

Tricycle Ant-tie-depressed-emo
Picmonic
Tricyclic antidepressants, named for their three-ringed chemical structure, are drugs indicated for a wide range of presentations, including depression, bedwetting, OCD, and fibromyalgia. These drugs are lipid soluble and rapidly absorbed, and exhibit their effects by blocking serotonin and NE reuptake transporters, leading to increased availability of serotonin and NE neurotransmitters. There is a wide range of side effects caused by these drugs and patients should be monitored when they begin treatment. Some side effects can be described by the Tri-Cs; which are convulsion, coma, and cardiotoxicity (in the form of arrhythmias), and are likely related to the anti-histamine and anticholinergic effects of this drug. These drugs display adverse CNS stimulant effects, such as mania, agitation, seizure, confusion, and tremor. TCAs display antimuscarinic, atropine-like side effects, such as impaired gastric motility, dry mouth, blurry vision, increased temperature, and urinary impairment. Postural hypotension is an alpha-1 blockade effect of this drug class.
7 KEY FACTS
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Blocks Serotonin and NE Reuptake
Block in Silver-tonic and North-epi-pen Reuptake-tube

TCAs modulate neurotransmission by blocking 5-HT and NE transporters. This leads to elevated synaptic concentrations of the neurotransmitters, respectively. It is important to consider that TCAs do not have much affinity for dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine, DA) transporters, and thus have limited effect on this particular neurotransmitter.

Lipid-soluble
Lips

TCAs are highly lipid-soluble and therefore, rapidly absorbed.

SIDE EFFECTS
Adverse CNS Effects
Attacked CNS Brain

These drugs lead to CNS stimulation and cause a wide range of presenting symptoms, such as confusion, mania, agitation, tremor, seizures, and sedation.

Anticholinergic
Ant-tie-cola

Side effects tied to the antimuscarinic properties of these medications include impaired gastric motility, dry mouth, blurry vision, increased temperature, and urinary impairment.

Antihistamine
Ant-tie-history-man

Tricyclic antidepressants exhibit antihistamine effects, with the most severe manifestations being seizures and arrhythmias, though uncommon. There are also minor anti-histamine symptoms, which mostly mimic anticholinergic effects.

Tri-C: Convulsion, Coma, Cardiotoxicity
Triceratops with Converse, Combs, and Heart with Toxic-green-glow

A major collection of side effects attributed to TCAs can be described as the three C's. These are convulsions, coma and cardiotoxicity. Cardiac effects are predominantly due to sodium channel blockade, and these cardiotoxic effects can take the form of QRS widening, QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Additional side effects of these drugs include hyperpyrexia and respiratory depression.

Blocks Alpha1 Receptors
Blocking the Afro (1) Wand Receptor

Tricyclic antidepressants display alpha-1 blockade effects and can lead to postural hypotension.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Take the Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Overview Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,870,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.