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

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

Fiber supplements may interact with diabetes medications and interfere with your body’s ability to absorb certain medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, carbamazepine, digoxin, lithium, or diabetes medications. —Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024

Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024

Taking vitamin E interferes with the absorption of the following drugs: tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, Thorazine, and beta blockers. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

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