Tricyclic antidepressants are often given at night and have a proven track record, but thier side effects may be less well tolerated than those of the SSRIs. Drowsiness, postural hypotension, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision and cardiac toxicity are some of the side effect to be aware of when prescribing tricyclic antidepressants to older people. For example, some antidepressants should not be used for people with poorly controlled severe hypertension, or those who have significant cardiac abnormalities.