What sort of side-effects might occur if I am taking a tricyclic?
The table below shows about some of the side effects you might get with a tricyclic.
|
Side effect |
What happens |
What to do about it |
|
COMMON (more than about 1 in 10 people might get these) |
||
|
Sleepiness |
Feeling sleepy, drowsy or sluggish. It can last for a few hours after taking your dose. |
Don't drive or use machinery. Ask your doctor if you can take your tricyclic at a different time. |
|
Constipation |
When you want to poop but can't (the opposite of diarrhoea). You can't pass a motion. |
Make sure you eat enough fibre, cereal or fruit. Make sure you are drinking enough fluid. Make sure you keep active and get some exercise e.g. walking. If this does not help, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a mild laxative. |
|
Dry mouth |
Not much saliva or spit. |
Suck sugar-free boiled sweets. If it is bad, your doctor may be able to give you a mouth spray. |
|
Blurred vision |
Things look fuzzy and you can't focus properly. |
Do not drive with blurred vision. This should wear off after a few weeks. If it does not wear off, see your doctor if you are worried. You won't need glasses. |
|
Weight gain |
A bigger appetite and putting on weight. |
A diet full of vegetables and fibre may help prevent weight gain. See the separate section below and click here to see a section on helping you to feel less hungry. |
|
UNCOMMON (less than about 1 in 10 people might get these) |
||
|
Nausea |
Feeling sick. |
Take each dose with or after food. If it is bad, contact your doctor. |
|
Headache |
Your head is pounding and painful. |
Try paracetamol. Your pharmacist will be able to advise if this is safe to take with any other medicines you may be taking. |
|
Urinary retention |
Not much urine passed. |
Contact your doctor now. |
|
Postural hypotension |
A low blood pressure - this can make you feel dizzy when you stand up. |
Try not to stand up too quickly. |
|
Palpitations |
A fast heart beat. |
It is not usually dangerous. It can easily be treated if it lasts a long time. Tell your doctor about it. |
|
Sexual dysfunction |
Finding it hard to have an orgasm. No desire for sex. |
Discuss with your doctor. |
|
RARE (less than about 1 in 100 people might get these) |
||
|
Tremor |
Feeling shaky. |
Contact your doctor now. |
|
Skin rashes |
Blotches seen anywhere. |
Stop taking and contact your doctor now |
Do not be worried by this list of side effects. Some people get no side effects at all and others may get some effects that are not listed in this table. Side effects tend to be worse with higher doses. Starting with a lower dose sometimes helps. If you think you might have a side effect to your medicine, you should discuss this with your doctor, nurse of pharmacist. You should also see the manufacturer's information leaflet.
Updated 12.11