amitriptyline

American

[am-i-trip-tuh-leen, -lahyn, -lin] / ˌæm ɪˈtrɪp təˌlin, -ˌlaɪn, -lɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

a white crystalline powder, C 20 H 23 N, used to treat depression and enuresis.

amitriptyline British

/ ˌæmɪˈtrɪptɪˌliːn, -lɪn /

noun

a tricyclic antidepressant drug. Formula: C 20 H 23 N

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of amitriptyline

Perhaps ami(no)- + trypt(ophan) + (meth)yl + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

amitriptyline

Even though amitriptyline increases weight, heart rate and blood pressure it also helps with pain and struggling to sleep.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

GPs already prescribe low-dose amitriptyline to treat chronic nerve and back pain, and to help prevent migraine attacks.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2023

The first three “might be considered first choice” by doctors, they write, although the two most effective drugs – amitriptyline and venlafaxine – might still be first choice for severe depression.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 21, 2018

Others have used low doses of tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline to treat chronic pain.

From US News ● May 24, 2016

Because amitriptyline interferes with sweating, your body cannot dissipate extra heat as it normally would.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2012

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023