Tricyclic antidepressants, (commonly called TCAs) have been prescribed since the 1950s for depression. They are the oldest antidepressants we use today. Until recently TCAs were the clear first choice of physicians for the vast majority of people with major depressive disorder.
Examples of TCAs are: imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
TCAs work by raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by slowing the rate of reuptake, or reabsorption, by nerve cells. It may take several weeks for you to see the desired result.