tricyclic

tri·cy·clic  (tr-sklk, -sklk)

adj.

Having or being a molecular structure that contains three closed rings: a tricyclic molecule.

n.

A tricyclic antidepressant drug.

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tricyclic [traɪˈsaɪklɪk]

adj

(Chemistry) (of a chemical compound) containing three rings in the molecular structure

n

(Medicine / Pharmacology) an antidepressant drug having a tricyclic molecular structure

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tricyclic  (tr-sklk, -sklk)

1. Relating to a chemical compound having three closed rings. Anthracene is a tricyclic hydrocarbon.

2. Relating to a class of drugs used to treat depression and having a tricyclic chemical structure consisting of two benzene rings fused to opposite sides of a seven-member ring. The seven-member ring consists of six carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. Tricyclic antidepressants enhance the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain by inhibiting their reuptake by the cells that secrete them.

3. Composed of or arranged in three distinct whorls, as the petals of a flower.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

tricyclic - 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 tricyclic antidepressant, tricyclic antidepressant drug amitriptyline, amitriptyline hydrochloride, Elavil - a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Elavil) with serious side effects; interacts with many other medications antidepressant, antidepressant drug - any of a class of drugs used to treat depression; often have undesirable side effects clomipramine - a tricyclic antidepressant drug desipramine - a tricyclic antidepressant drug that activates the psychomotor system Adapin, doxepin, doxepin hydrochloride, Sinequan - a tricyclic antidepressant (trade names Adapin and Sinequan) with numerous side effects (dry mouth and sedation and gastrointestinal disturbances) Imavate, imipramine, impramine hydrochloride, Tofranil - a tricyclic antidepressant (trade names Imavate and Tofranil) used to treat clinical depression nortriptyline, Pamelor - a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Pamelor) used along with psychotherapy to treat dysthymic depression; may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs protriptyline - tricyclic antidepressant used to treat clinical depression Surmontil, trimipramine - tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Surmontil) used to treat depression and anxiety and (sometimes) insomnia