Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Screen

This test checks whether tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) can be found in your blood or urine. It can also measure how much TCA is in your blood or urine. TCAs are a type of antidepressant.

Antidepressants are prescription medicines that treat depression, a serious mood disorder. Depression can affect how you think, feel, and behave. There are several types of antidepressants.

They each work in slightly different ways. TCAs were one of the first types of antidepressants developed. They can be effective, but they tend to cause more side effects than newer types of antidepressants.

Most of the newer antidepressants belong to one of these three groups: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); Atypical antidepressants, which are newer antidepressants that don't fit into the other groups.; Health care providers often use newer antidepressants rather than TCAs since they are safer and have fewer side effects. But TCAs can be a good option to treat depression when other antidepressants are not working. Health care providers sometimes use TCAs to treat other health conditions, such as anxiety, chronic pain, migraines, and insomnia.

Some commonly prescribed TCAs include: Doxepin; Nortriptyline; Amitriptyline; Imipramine; Desipramine; TCAs have to be carefully dosed. It can be hard to find a dose that is effective without being dangerous. In fact, TCAs are the cause of many prescription drug overdose deaths in the United States.

Why this test is done

You may need this test if you have been prescribed a TCA to make sure you are getting a dose that is safe and effective. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of a TCA overdose. These include:

• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Trouble urinating
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Tremors

If you think you have taken too much of a TCA, or you have symptoms of a TCA overdose, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency center.

How to prepare

You don't need any special preparations for a TCA screen.

Sample type

Blood Urine

Other names for this test

TCA test, TCA screen, Tricyclic Screen