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amitriptyline

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

noun

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


amitriptyline British  
/ ˌæmɪˈtrɪptɪˌliːn, -lɪn /

noun

  1. 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:

Sanchez examined four psychoactive pharmaceuticals frequently detected in treated wastewater: carbamazepine, lamotrigine, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine.

From Science Daily Mar. 15, 2026

Dr Toby Pillinger says: John should avoid drugs such as venlafaxine, amitriptyline or nortriptyline which raise blood pressure, and would be better suited to citalopram, escitalopram and paroxetine.

From BBC Oct. 21, 2025

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

I take amitriptyline at night to help me sleep.

From Seattle Times Aug. 1, 2012

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