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
Examples of tricyclic antidepressant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Certain SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclic antidepressants have been linked with grinding and clenching the teeth, Schultz says.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Certain medications can also cause or irritate existing acid reflux symptoms, including benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, certain asthma medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tricyclic antidepressants, according to NIH.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The studies investigated serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, eight studies), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, two studies), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs, 14 studies), tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs, two studies), or ‘other antidepressants’ (two studies).
—New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025
Those classes consist of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and NDRI’s (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors).
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 17 July 2024
Some notable interactions include, but are not limited to:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), typically used for depression or pain.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and medications for anxiety (such as benzodiazepine) can also raise the risk of heat intolerance, Glatter said.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 28 June 2024
And in that year, a type of medication, a tricyclic antidepressant, was first found to be effective for treating symptoms of depression.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024
Some medications that interact with these supplements include: tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Imipramine)
diabetes medications (glyburide and metformin)
carbamazepine
cholesterol-lowering medications (Colestipol and cholestyramine)
Sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea and bloating.
—Suzie Finkel Ms, Rd, Cdn, Health, 26 May 2024
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Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Certain medications can also cause or irritate existing acid reflux symptoms, including benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, certain asthma medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tricyclic antidepressants, according to NIH.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The studies investigated serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, eight studies), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, two studies), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs, 14 studies), tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs, two studies), or ‘other antidepressants’ (two studies).
—New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025
Those classes consist of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and NDRI’s (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors).
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 17 July 2024
Some notable interactions include, but are not limited to:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil (imipramine), typically used for depression or pain.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and medications for anxiety (such as benzodiazepine) can also raise the risk of heat intolerance, Glatter said.
—Cathy Cassata, Health, 28 June 2024
And in that year, a type of medication, a tricyclic antidepressant, was first found to be effective for treating symptoms of depression.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024
Some medications that interact with these supplements include: tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Imipramine)
diabetes medications (glyburide and metformin)
carbamazepine
cholesterol-lowering medications (Colestipol and cholestyramine)
Sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea and bloating.
—Suzie Finkel Ms, Rd, Cdn, Health, 26 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tricyclic antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tricyclic%20antidepressant. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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