What is the definition or description of: tricyclic antidepressant?

Older depression med: This medication which includes many variants is named for the three rings that make up its chemical structure. Currently it has been mostly replaced by ssri drugs which have less side effects, it is still used to treat a variety of mood related disturbances.

Older medication: Tricyclics were some of the drugs to be used to treat depression, but affect multiple neurotransmitters. Classical drugs include amitryptyline, nortryptyline, and are tough to tolerate. Often these drugs did not work well at lower doses, but there are substantial anticholinergic issues: drowsiness, dryness of mouth and eyes, bladder problems, confusion. Not good for the elderly.