Best Tricyclic Antidepressant for depressive disorder
Top-rated pick: Anafranil — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 4 Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs used for depressive disorder, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for depressive disorder or the full Tricyclic Antidepressant class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 4 tricyclic antidepressant drugs we rate for depressive disorder, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are tablet. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for depressive disorder; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
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Top tricyclic antidepressant for depressive disorder: 1. Anafranil · 2. Imipramine Hydrochloride · 3. Amitriptyline Hydrochloride
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $7 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 3 | 68/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $3 | View → | |
| 4 | 66/100 | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $5 | View → |
Full ranking · 4 drugs
anafranil
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Anafranil (Clomipramine Hydrochloride) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic Disorder.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$5.96/30· 3 forms Save up to 65% in classimipramine hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Imipramine Hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Enuresis, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.28/30· 3 forms
amitriptyline hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat Depressive Disorder, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.02/30· 6 forms Save up to 6% in classzonalon
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Zonalon (Doxepin Hydrochloride) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Atopic Dermatitis, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.38/30· 8 forms Save up to 47% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best tricyclic antidepressant for depressive disorder?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — anafranil ranks highest among Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs used for depressive disorder. Always consult a professional.
- Which tricyclic antidepressant drugs treat depressive disorder?
- pharmaranks lists 4 Tricyclic Antidepressant products used for depressive disorder, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.