Tricyclic refers to a type of antidepressant medication that has three rings in its chemical structure. Alternative terms for tricyclic include tricyclic antidepressants, cyclic antidepressants, or TCAs. These drugs are used to treat various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Other synonyms for tricyclic include dibenzazepines and dibenzocycloheptenes. While tricyclic antidepressants were commonly prescribed in the past, newer medications with fewer side effects have become more popular in recent years. However, tricyclics can still be an effective treatment option for certain patients and conditions.