Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 26, 2023
  • Author: Vivian Tsai, MD, MPH, FACEP; Chief Editor: David Vearrier, MD, MPH  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the pathophysiology of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the US prevalence of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the mortality and morbidity associated with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Which patient groups have the highest prevalence of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Which physical findings are characteristic of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?

Workup

What is the role of lab tests in the workup of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the role of imaging in the workup of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the role of ECG in the workup of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Treatment

What is the role of intubation in the treatment of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What are the AAPCC guidelines for prehospital triage and treatment of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

How is asymptomatic tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity treated?

How is tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity treated in the emergency department (ED)?

Which medications should be avoided in patients with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

When is transfer to the ICU indicated for the treatment of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

What is the duration of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity following a significant overdose?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Medications

What is the role of medications in the treatment of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity?

Which medications in the drug class Antidysrhythmics, V are used in the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?

Which medications in the drug class Antidysrhythmics, V are used in the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?

Which medications in the drug class Anticonvulsants are used in the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?

Which medications in the drug class Cardiovascular agents are used in the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?

Which medications in the drug class GI decontaminant are used in the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity?