Final answer:
Imipramine is less potent than its metabolite, nortriptyline. Imipramine is converted to the more potent nortriptyline in the body, both being tricyclic antidepressants, a class of drugs effective in treating depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Imipramine is less potent than its metabolite, nortriptyline. Both imipramine (Tofranil) and its metabolite nortriptyline (Aventyl) belong to a class of compounds known as tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain to alleviate symptoms of depression. Although imipramine is effective, upon metabolization in the body, it is converted to nortriptyline, which is considered to be a more potent antidepressant. The antidepressant amitriptyline, another tricyclic antidepressant, similarly attenuates the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system, showcasing the therapeutic effects of these medications on depression.