Beyond depression: Other uses for tricyclic antidepressants

Abstract

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were originally designed and marketed for treating depression, but over time they have been applied to a variety of conditions, mostly offlabel. TCAs can serve as first-line or augmenting drugs for neuropathic pain, headache, migraine, gastrointestinal syndromes, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, insomnia, and psychiatric conditions other than depression. This article reviews pharmacology, dosing, and safety considerations for these uses.