Protriptyline hydrochloride, N-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cycloheptene-5-propylamine hydrochloride, 5-(3-methylaminopropyl)-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene hydrochloride(Vivactil), like the other compounds under consideration, isan effective antidepressant. The basis for its chemical namingcan be seen by consulting the naming and the structureof imipramine. Protriptyline is a structural isomer of nortriptyline.Inactivation can be expected to involve the relativelylocalized double bond. Because it is a monomethylcompound, its sedative potential is low.
