Description

This code list contains codes from the NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d) that are known as Tricyclic Antidepressants. All formulations of these medicines have been included, except for those that are presented in a combined formulation with other drugs. All tricyclic antidepressants are licensed for the treatment of depression and some of them are licensed for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Certain tricyclic antidepressants are licensed for unusual psychiatric conditions e.g. clomipramine for cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. Some are also licensed for non-psychiatric indications, including migraine, neuropathic pain, headache.

Methodology

All BNF codes that begin with 040301 were included (defined as Tricyclic antidepressants) except for Mianserin and Trazodone. These latter two antidepressants were excluded due to having different chemical structures and pharmacology to other tricyclics. See github discussion for more details. These BNF codes were then mapped to dm+d using OpenPrescribing methodology.

For some studies it may be necessary to include other antidepressant codelists.

References

• Github discussion

Signed off by

• Orla Macdonald, (Feb. 17, 2022)
• Henry Drysdale, (Feb. 21, 2022)