IMIPRAMINE

synthetic drug introduced into medicine in the 1960s, and considered among the most effective antidepressant drugs known. Imipramine was the first antidepressant drug of its kind (called tricyclic antidepressants because the molecular structure is based upon a system of three rings). It was studied as an antischizophrenic tranquillizer before its use to treat mental depression. It is usually administered orally but may be given by intramuscular injection. Imipramine and closely related tricyclic antidepressant drugs are called dibenzazepines or dibenzazepine derivatives. Other dibenzazepines and derivatives in use are amitriptyline, desmethylimipramine (desipramine), nortriptyline, and protriptyline.