Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs compared
Compare all 4 Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs side by side, used for conditions such as depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, pain. They share one FDA-defined mechanism but differ in approved uses, prescription status, brand-vs-generic options, price, and FDA recall-safety record — which our independent rating scores. The highest-rated is anafranil.
Top-rated tricyclic antidepressant: 1. Anafranil · 2. Imipramine Hydrochloride · 3. Amitriptyline Hydrochloride
| Drug | Generic | Form | Status | Used for | Safety ratingFDA recall-based | Pharmacy pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anafranil | Clomipramine Hydrochloride | Capsule | Prescription | Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | 70/100 | $7 |
| Imipramine Hydrochloride | — | Tablet | Prescription | Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder | 70/100 | $3 |
| Amitriptyline Hydrochloride | — | Tablet | Prescription | Depressive Disorder, Pain | 68/100 | $3 |
| Zonalon | Doxepin Hydrochloride | Topical | Prescription | Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder | 66/100 | $5 |
The safety rating column is unique to pharmaranks — an independent 0–100 score from FDA regulatory recall data. Higher is safer. Not medical advice.
Best tricyclic antidepressant by condition
Full ranking · 4 drugs
- 170/100
anafranil
Clomipramine Hydrochloride
- 270/100
imipramine hydrochloride
Imipramine Hydrochloride
- 368/100
amitriptyline hydrochloride
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride
- 466/100
zonalon
Doxepin Hydrochloride
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tricyclic Antidepressant drug class?
Tricyclic Antidepressant is an FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (EPC) — a group of drugs that share a mechanism of action. pharmaranks lists 4 Tricyclic Antidepressant products, each independently rated.
Are all Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs the same?
No. Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs share the same core mechanism — that is why they sit in one FDA class — but they differ in their approved uses, available forms, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter, brand-vs-generic options and price, and their FDA recall-safety record.
What conditions do Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs treat?
Per NIH RxClass drug-classification data, Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs are used for conditions including depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, pain, panic disorder, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, enuresis.
Which Tricyclic Antidepressant drug is best-rated?
By our independent rating, anafranil currently ranks highest among Tricyclic Antidepressant drugs. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data — always consult a professional.
Sources: the Tricyclic Antidepressant class definition and its member drugs come from the U.S. NLM RxClass (Established Pharmacologic Class). Ratings are pharmaranks’ independent FDA recall-safety analysis.