Table 1.
Tricydic antidepressant neurotransmitter activity.
| Drug name | Trade name | ACh | Hist | 5-HT | NE | Dop | Sedation | Comments |
| Amitriptyline | Elavil | +++ | ++ | +++ | ++ | - | +++ | Commonly used for sleep disorder |
| CLomipramine | Anafranil | ++ | ++ | +++ | +++ | - | +++ | Commonly used for OCD |
| Imipramine | TofraniL | ++ | ++ | +++ | ++ | - | ++ | Used for nocturesis |
| Doxepin | Sinequan | +++ | +++ | ++ | + | - | +++ | |
| Desipramine | Norpramin | + | + | - | +++ | - | + | |
| Nortriptyline | Aventyl | ++ | + | ++ | ++ | - | ++ | Less hypotension than other TCAs |
+, some effect; ++, moderate effect; +++, greatest effect; ACh, muscarinic antagonism; Hist, histamine antagonism; 5-HT, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine] antagonism; NE, norepinephrine antagonism; Dop, dopamine antagonism; OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder.