Imipramine

Generic Name : Imipramine

TradeName : Antidep, Depranil, Depsol, Depsonil, Depsonil-PM, Impramine

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Imipramine, an antidepressant or mood elevator, is used to treat depression. It also is used to treat bedwetting in children.

When it is to be taken : Imipramine is taken one or more times a day. For bedwetting, it usually is taken once a day at bedtime. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Imipramine must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses, even if you feel that you do not need them. The drug may need to be taken regularly for two or more weeks before its full effect is felt.

How it should be taken : Imipramine comes in the form of tablets and capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Imipramine can cause drowsiness, especially during the first few weeks that you take it. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally.
3. Do not stop taking imipramine abruptly, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually.
4. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you change your smoking habits while taking imipramine. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
5. If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, omit the missed dose entirely. If you take imipramine once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, omit the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness, weakness, tiredness, anxiety, excitement, insomnia, blurred vision, difficulty urinating. Take this drug at bedtime if it causes drowsiness; take it in the morning if it causes insomnia.
2. If you take this drug more than once a day, ask your doctor if you can take it once a day. These effects should decrease as you continue to take the drug. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or severe.
3. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies.
4. Dizziness, lightheadedness, faintnes when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly.
5. Persistent, fine tremor; shuffling walk; slow speech; difficulty swallowing; drooling; slow, jerky movements; jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms; inability to sit still; sore throat, fever, skin rash, and yellowing or skin or eyes; irregular heart beat. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take imipramine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine.
2. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescripton drugs you are taking, especially MAO or monoaminooxidase inhibitors like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine; medication for high blood pressure, seizures, asthma, colds, or allergies; sedatives; tranquilizers; sleeping pills; anticoagulants or blood thinners; thyroid ; levodopa; antihistamines; and methylphenidate.
3. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, a history of seizures, an overactive thyroid gland, or a heart condition.
4. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, notify your doctor promptly.
5. Before having surgey, tell the doctor that you take imipramine.
6. Imipramine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Wear protective clothing and a sunscreen preparation.
7. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
8. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.