Amitriptyline
Cancer Terms ->
Drugs and Chemicals ->
Pharmacologic Substance ->
Agent Affecting Nervous System ->
Antidepressant Agent -> Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline Definition
The hydrochloride salt of the tricyclic dibenzocycloheptadiene amitriptyline with antidepressant and antinociceptive activities. Amitriptyline inhibits the re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin by the presynaptic neuronal membrane in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby increasing the synaptic concentration of norepinephrine and serotonin. Due to constant stimulation to these receptors, amitriptyline may produce a downregulation of adrenergic and serotonin receptors, which may contribute to the antidepressant activity. In the CNS the antinociceptive activity of this agent may involve high affinity binding to and inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and/or the enhancement of the action of serotonin at the spinal terminals of an opioid-mediated intrinsic analgesia system.
Amitriptyline Synonyms
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride, AMITRIPTYLINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Terms in Amitriptyline category
Copyright © Cancer Terms 2014 All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Low Carb Foods
No reproduction or republication permitted.