TCA (tricyclic antidepressant) toxicity

In tricyclic antidepressants poisoning the cause of death is usually arrhythmias precipitated by blockage of fast Sodium channels which normally inhibit reuptake of Norepinephrine and Serotonin.

Treatment is gastric lavage or activated charcoal, depending on how the overdose has progressed. If the overdose is with an especially high concentration of TCAs, then haemodialysis may be required. Alkalization of urine is sometimes used to promote excretion in the urine.