what is tca

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of medications used to manage and treat major depressive disorder (MDD) . They function by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which can modulate mood, attention, and pain in individuals. TCAs were one of the first types of antidepressants developed and are considered “first-generation” antidepressants. They are effective, but they tend to cause more side effects than newer types of antidepressants. Commonly prescribed TCAs include doxepin, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine, and desipramine. TCAs are designated as tricyclic or tetracyclic, depending on the number of rings in their chemical structure — three (tri) or four (tetra) . While TCAs are mainly FDA-approved to treat depression, healthcare providers more often prescribe them to treat other conditions, such as chronic pain.