Definition

Noun: A tricyclic antidepressant is a type of medication used to treat depression. It works by increasing the levels of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters), specifically norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. It does this by blocking their reabsorption (reuptake) by nerve cells, leaving more available to improve communication between brain cells and elevate mood. The name "tricyclic" refers to the drug's chemical structure, which contains three rings of atoms.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant for her persistent low mood.
  • Older tricyclic antidepressants can have more side effects than newer medications.
  • Amitriptyline is a well-known tricyclic antidepressant.

Advanced Usage

• "First-generation tricyclic antidepressant": Often used to distinguish these older medications from newer classes of antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
  • Although effective, first-generation tricyclic antidepressants are not always the first choice due to their side effect profile.

Variants and Related Words

• Tricyclic (noun/adjective): Often used as a shorter form.
  • He is on a tricyclic for his depression.
• TCA: A common abbreviation for "tricyclic antidepressant."
  • The patient's history shows she was on a TCA ten years ago.

Synonyms

• Heterocyclic antidepressant: A broader technical term that includes tricyclics.
• Cyclic antidepressant: Another general term for this class of drugs.

Related Phrases

• Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning: A medical term for overdose, which can be serious due to the drug's effects on the heart.
  • Emergency treatment for tricyclic antidepressant poisoning is critical.

Noun

1. an antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and thus making more of those substances available to act on receptors in the brain