Final answer:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), with their fewer anticholinergic side effects, are least likely to cause orthostatic hypotension as a side effect when compared to tricyclic antidepressants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Orthostatic hypotension is a condition characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position, which can lead to dizziness or faintness. Certain medications, such as diuretics and vasodilators, can cause hypovolemia, a decrease in blood volume that contributes to this condition. Furthermore, autonomic failure due to diseases like diabetes can also lead to orthostatic hypotension by affecting the postganglionic sympathetic fibers.
When it comes to antidepressants, the older class of tricyclic antidepressants, which include drugs like amitriptyline and imipramine, commonly have side effects including orthostatic hypotension. However, the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline, and paroxetine, have fewer anticholinergic side effects. Hence, SSRIs are least likely to cause orthostatic hypotension as a side effect compared to tricyclic antidepressants.