General information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug?
Precautions
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Imipramine is pronounced as: im IP ra meen
Type: OTC / Prescription
Imipramine is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Imipramine belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic anti depressants.
- Imipramine is used to treat depression.
- Imipramine is also used in the treatment of enuresis (nighttime bed wetting) in children.
- Imipramine is also used in the treatment of anxiety, panic disorders and certain types of ongoing pain.
- Use imipramine as instructed on the label or as prescribed by the doctor/pharmacist. Do not take the drug in more or less amounts.
- Imipramine can be taken with or without food.
- When imipramine is used for children for bedwetting it should be given one hour before bedtime and using the drug for longtime may not give good results. Consult your doctor if it stops working.
- Do not stop taking the imipramine suddenly as it may worsen your condition, stop taking by decreasing your dose slowly. Consult your doctor before you stop taking this medication. Continue to take the medication even if you feel well.
- It may take few weeks to improve your condition so, keep using the drug as it is directed by your physician.
Older people: Use imipramine cautiously as they more sensitive to adverse effects of imipramine.
Pregnant women: imipramine belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that imipramine may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether imipramine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take imipramine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
- Use imipramine under strict medical supervision.
- Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have any medical history related to heart disease, glaucoma, asthma, liver problems and kidney problems. Also inform him of any personal or family medical history of any other mental/mood conditions as well as the list of substances you are allergic to.
- In case if you have diabetes, inform your physician before hand as during imipramine treatment blood sugar levels may become uncontrolled.
- Before any surgery, inform your doctor/dentist that you are using this medication.
- As the drug causes dizziness and lightheadedness do not handle heavy machinery and do not drive during the treatment.
- During the treatment, do not rise suddenly from sitting position as it may cause excess dizziness. Avoid activities that require alertness of mind.
- As the patient may experience different mental conditions during the treatment, it is advised that the family members keep the patient under constant care. This is because during the treatment the patient may develop suicidal tendency.
Common side effects of imipramine include:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Headache, Drowsiness, Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Weight gain/loss
- Diarrhea
Store imipramine at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Imipramine is a drug used to treat depression but, in younger adults below 25 years old it causes serious side effects like mental /mood changes, suicidal attempts and worsening depression. Therefore, it is not recommended for people younger than 24 years old.
- Avoid using imipramine if you have recent heart problems and if you have taken MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects like trouble sleeping, anxiety, unusual behavioral changes and panic attacks.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: August 29,2009