Imipramine is classified as which type of antidepressant?

• A. Tricyclic antidepressant
• B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• C. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• D. Atypical antipsychotic

Answer: (A)

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant, a first‑generation medication that works primarily by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, which increases their availability in the synaptic space. This dual reuptake inhibition underlies its antidepressant effect and also explains the characteristic side effects, such as anticholinergic symptoms, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension. The label fits because the defining feature is its three-ring chemical structure and its classification among TCAs. It is not an SSRI, which would selectively target serotonin reuptake; nor is it a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which stops the breakdown of monoamines; nor is it an atypical antipsychotic, which acts on dopamine and/or serotonin receptors for psychotic symptoms.