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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tricyclic antidepressant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tricyclic antidepressant was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near tricyclic antidepressant

Cite this Entry

“Tricyclic antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tricyclic%20antidepressant. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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
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