Medicine
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are Tetracyclic Antidepressants?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tetracyclic antidepressants are a type of medication distinguished by the four atom rings within each molecule. Generally, they tend to impact, to greater or lesser degree, the brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Some of these medications are used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and anorexia, but not all are approved for or frequently used for each. Not many of these drugs are currently in use.

Medications in this class have a close association to tricyclic antidepressants. They have similar action and most were developed at approximately the same time, in the late 1960s or early 1970s. There is also dispute on which drugs belong in this group, and some medications, like trazodone, can be listed as a tetracyclic antidepressant or considered in a different class.

The different actions of tetracyclic antidepressants means that the medications will have varied side effects.
The different actions of tetracyclic antidepressants means that the medications will have varied side effects.

The term "tetracyclic" comes from the structure of these different medications. Tricyclics (TCAs) have three atom rings within each molecule, while tetracyclic antidepressants contain four. It is often noted that many tetracyclic antidepressants work differently than TCAs and are less involved in reuptake inhibition of neurotransmitters, though there are exceptions. Many of these medications still increase key neurotransmitter levels, but they may accomplish this by other means, such as through indirect stimulation of production.

A tetracyclic antidepressant increases serotonin levels by acting on other receptors.
A tetracyclic antidepressant increases serotonin levels by acting on other receptors.

One medication in the class of tetracyclic antidepressants is mirtazapine. This drug is specifically approved for the treatment of depression, and is also used for anxiety disorders and for anorexia. It elevates norepinephrine and serotonin by inhibiting adrenergic receptors that prevent the release of these chemicals.

Trazodone might be considered a tetracyclic and is called an antidepressant, but may be more often used to promote sleep or to treat anxiety disorders and chronic pain. It increases serotonin levels by acting on other receptors. Amoxapine creates some elevation of serotonin and norepinephrine and might be used for depression, anxiety disorders, or to alleviate psychotic symptoms.

Tetracyclic antidepressants tend to impact brain chemicals, such as dopamine.
Tetracyclic antidepressants tend to impact brain chemicals, such as dopamine.

Mazindol typically is not used for depression but instead is used as a weight loss drug in the obese by acting on dopamine and serotonin. In this respect it differs from the other tetracyclic antidepressants, which are usually associated with weight gain. Maprotiline has anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antihistamine and sedative properties. It appears to most strongly affect norepinephrine levels.

Setiptiline impacts mostly serotonin and norepinephrine. Mianserin may be used to promote sleep, lower nausea, or as an antidepressant or anxiolytic. It acts most on norepinephrine.

Tetracyclic antidepressants and alcohol are both sedatives and should never be taken at the same time.
Tetracyclic antidepressants and alcohol are both sedatives and should never be taken at the same time.

The different actions of tetracyclic antidepressants means that the medications will have varied side effects. One common side effect is that they can make especially teenagers and young adults more prone to develop suicidal thinking or behavior. They also may not be appropriate for older patients because they can risk cardiac side effects.

Tetracyclic antidepressants should never be combined with alcohol because the sedative effects of the drugs can be magnified. Other side effects that might also be encountered when taking these medications include headache, sleepiness or insomnia, weight gain, stomach upset, and dry mouth. Confusion and dizziness are also possible.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • The different actions of tetracyclic antidepressants means that the medications will have varied side effects.
      By: Alliance
      The different actions of tetracyclic antidepressants means that the medications will have varied side effects.
    • A tetracyclic antidepressant increases serotonin levels by acting on other receptors.
      By: snyggg.de
      A tetracyclic antidepressant increases serotonin levels by acting on other receptors.
    • Tetracyclic antidepressants tend to impact brain chemicals, such as dopamine.
      By: marksykes
      Tetracyclic antidepressants tend to impact brain chemicals, such as dopamine.
    • Tetracyclic antidepressants and alcohol are both sedatives and should never be taken at the same time.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Tetracyclic antidepressants and alcohol are both sedatives and should never be taken at the same time.
    • Mirtazapine and trazadone belong to the family of tetracyclic antidepressants.
      By: themalni
      Mirtazapine and trazadone belong to the family of tetracyclic antidepressants.
    • Tetracyclic antidepressants affect the brain's levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
      By: Wynter
      Tetracyclic antidepressants affect the brain's levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
    • Mazindol is a tetracyclic antidepressant that is used to promote weight loss.
      By: jedi-master
      Mazindol is a tetracyclic antidepressant that is used to promote weight loss.
    • Tetracyclic antidepressants, like mirtazapine, are used to treat anorexia.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Tetracyclic antidepressants, like mirtazapine, are used to treat anorexia.