Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant indicated in the treatment of depressive illness, either endogenous or psychotic, and to relieve depression associated anxiety. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that has been used to treat depression for decades.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
The mechanism of action of this drug is not fully elucidated. It is suggested that amitriptyline inhibits the membrane pump mechanism responsible for the re-uptake of transmitter amines, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, thereby increasing their concentration at the synaptic clefts of the brain. These amines are important in regulating mood. The monoamine hypothesis in depression, one of the oldest hypotheses, postulates that deficiencies of serotonin (5-HT) and/or norepinephrine (NE) neurotransmission in the brain lead to depressive effects. This drug counteracts these mechanisms, and this may be the mechanism of amitriptyline in improving depressive symptoms.
Whether its analgesic effects are related to its mood-altering activities or attributable to a different, less obvious pharmacological action (or a combination of both) is unknown.
- Primary indication
- This drug in indicated for the following conditions: Major depressive disorder in adults Management of neuropathic pain in adults Prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) in adults Prophylactic treatment of migraine in adults Treatment...Curator reviewed · 28 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C20H23N · 277.4033 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1977
- Code names
- ATX01 · MK 230 · N 750 · Ro 4-1575
- Brand names
Resolves to
KRMDCWKBEZIMAB-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCN(C)CCC=C1C2=CC=CC=C2CCC2=CC=CC=C12What you can answer from here — as of September 16, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Amitriptyline, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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