: 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 alsotricyclic
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThere 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