What is "melitracen"

n. A tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety.

Melitracen (Adaptol, Dixeran, Melixeran, Thymeol, Trausabun) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) marketed in Europe and Japan by Lundbeck and Takeda, respectively, for the treatment of depression and anxiety. In addition to single drug preparations, it is also available as Deanxit, a combination product containing both melitracen and flupentixol.

The pharmacology of melitracen has not been properly investigated and is largely unknown, but it is likely to act in a similar manner to other TCAs. Indeed, melitracen is reported to have imipramine and amitriptyline-like effects and efficacy against depression and anxiety, though with improved tolerability and a somewhat faster onset of action.