tricyclic antidepressant drug
Quick Summary
Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of drugs prescribed to alleviate depression. They function by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain, allowing these chemicals to accumulate and improve mood.12
These medications, characterized by a chemical structure of three carbon rings, were discovered in the 1950s. Examples include imipramine and amitriptyline. While effective for a high percentage of patients, their antidepressant effects may take two to four weeks to become apparent. Side effects can include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness. Tricyclics can also interact with certain blood pressure medications.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
antidepressant…in the 1950s the first tricyclic antidepressants were discovered. These agents, so called because they are composed chemically of three carbon rings, inhibit the active reuptake, to varying degrees, of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. The tricyclics include imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline, and a
Read More…in the 1950s the first tricyclic antidepressants were discovered. These agents, so called because they are composed chemically of three carbon rings, inhibit the active reuptake, to varying degrees, of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. The tricyclics include imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline, and a
Read More
antidepressant…have fewer side effects than tricyclics or MAOIs. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). SSRIs are also used in the treatment of anxiety, eating disorders, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Read More…have fewer side effects than tricyclics or MAOIs. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). SSRIs are also used in the treatment of anxiety, eating disorders, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Read More
therapeuticsAntidepressant drugs…and best-studied class is the tricyclic antidepressants, which are divided into tertiary amines and secondary amines. Most tricyclics have a sedating effect, cardiac toxicity, and varying degrees of anticholinergic side effects, which some individuals, especially the elderly, have difficulty tolerating. Anticholinergic effects, which result from the blockage of parasympathetic nerve…
Read More…and best-studied class is the tricyclic antidepressants, which are divided into tertiary amines and secondary amines. Most tricyclics have a sedating effect, cardiac toxicity, and varying degrees of anticholinergic side effects, which some individuals, especially the elderly, have difficulty tolerating. Anticholinergic effects, which result from the blockage of parasympathetic nerve…
Read More
- mental disorderAntidepressant agents
Tricyclic antidepressants interfere with the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. The side effects of these drugs are mostly due to their interference with the function of the autonomic nervous system and may include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and difficulty urinating. Weight…
Read MoreTricyclic antidepressants interfere with the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. The side effects of these drugs are mostly due to their interference with the function of the autonomic nervous system and may include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and difficulty urinating. Weight…
Read More - mental disorderDevelopment of physical and pharmacological treatments
The first tricyclic (so called because of its three-ringed chemical structure) antidepressant drug, imipramine, was originally designed as an antipsychotic drug and was investigated by Swiss psychiatrist Roland Kuhn. He found it ineffective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia but observed its antidepressant effect, which he reported in…
Read MoreThe first tricyclic (so called because of its three-ringed chemical structure) antidepressant drug, imipramine, was originally designed as an antipsychotic drug and was investigated by Swiss psychiatrist Roland Kuhn. He found it ineffective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia but observed its antidepressant effect, which he reported in…
Read More
