Protriptyline

Protriptyline
Above: molecular structure of protriptyline Below: 3D representation of a protriptyline molecule
Clinical data
Trade namesVivactyl, others
Other namesAmimethyline; Protriptyline hydrochloride; MK-240
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa604025
Routes of
administration
Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • BR: Class C1 (Other controlled substances)
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability77–93%
Protein binding92%
MetabolismHepatic
Elimination half-life54–92 hours
ExcretionUrine: 50%
Feces: minor
Identifiers
  • 3-(5H-dibenzo[a,d][7]annulen-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-1-amine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.006.474
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC19H21N
Molar mass263.384 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • c3cc2c(\C=C/c1c(cccc1)C2CCCNC)cc3
  • InChI=1S/C19H21N/c1-20-14-6-11-19-17-9-4-2-7-15(17)12-13-16-8-3-5-10-18(16)19/h2-5,7-10,12-13,19-20H,6,11,14H2,1H3 Y
  • Key:BWPIARFWQZKAIA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
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Protriptyline, sold under the brand name Vivactil among others, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), specifically a secondary amine. Uniquely among most of the TCAs, protriptyline tends to be energizing instead of sedating, and is sometimes used for narcolepsy to achieve a wakefulness-promoting effect.

TCAs including protriptyline are also used to reduce the incidence of recurring headaches such as migraine, and for other types of chronic pain.