tricyclic antidepressant

noun

: any of a group of antidepressant drugs (such as imipramine and amitriptyline) that contain three fused benzene rings, potentiate the action of catecholamines (such as norepinephrine and serotonin) by inhibiting their uptake by nerve endings, and do not inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase

called also tricyclic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Due to its molecular structure, amitriptyline is described as a tricyclic antidepressant. —Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2023

There are a lot of options out there, including beta blockers (which reduce your blood pressure) and tricyclic antidepressants (these affect your levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals). —Korin Miller, SELF, 3 Aug. 2018

These include prescription antihistamines, OTC antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, some heartburn medications, and certain asthma drugs. —Korin Miller, SELF, 5 Sep. 2018

Possible treatments include blood pressure drugs like beta-blockers; anticonvulsant agents like topirimate (Topamax); and tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil). —Jane E. Brody, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tricyclic antidepressant

noun

: any of a group of antidepressant drugs (as imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine, and nortriptyline) that contain three fused benzene rings, that potentiate the action of catecholamines (as norepinephrine and serotonin) by inhibiting their uptake by nerve endings, and that do not inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase