How do tricyclic antidepressants compare to ssri's?

Side effects: Both classes of medications are effective in the treatment of depression. However, the tricyclic antidepressants typically have more side effects and are lethal on overdose.

Antidepressants: The side effect profile becomes problematic when tricyclic antidepressants are prescribed at high enough doses to treat depressive disorders. Many are used off -label for other purposes now. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are more often the go-to antidepressants now since the side effect profile is more favorable as well as over-dose outcome.