imipramine

What is the most important information I should know about imipramine?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What is imipramine?

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat symptoms of depression. Imipramine is sometimes used to treat bed-wetting in children ages 6 and older.

Imipramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking imipramine?

• you recently had a heart attack; or
• you are allergic to other antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, protriptyline, or trimipramine).

Do not use imipramine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, stroke, or seizures;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• kidney or liver disease;
• overactive thyroid;
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

How should I take imipramine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

You should not stop using imipramine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, seizures, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking imipramine?

What are the possible side effects of imipramine?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;
• tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, sore throat;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• painful or difficult urination;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• tingly feeling, weakness, lack of coordination;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting; or
• breast swelling (in men or women).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect imipramine?

Many drugs can affect imipramine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about imipramine.