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Imipramine |
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What is Imipramine and why is it prescribed? Imipramine is used to treat depression. It is a member of the family of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Imipramine is also used on a short term basis, along with behavioral therapies, to treat bed-wetting in children aged 6 and older. Its effectiveness may decrease with longer use. Some doctors also prescribe Imipramine to treat bulimia, attention deficit disorder in children, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Serious, sometimes fatal, reactions have been known to occur when drugs such as Imipramine are taken with another type of antidepressant called an MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this category include Nardil and Parnate. Do not take Imipramine within 2 weeks of taking one of these drugs. How should you take Imipramine? Follow your doctors directions for taking Imipramine. Imipramine may be taken with or without food. You should not take Imipramine with alcohol. Do not stop taking Imipramine if you feel no immediate effect. It can take from 1 to 3 weeks for improvement to begin. Imipramine can cause dry mouth. Sucking hard candy or chewing gum can help this problem. If you miss a dose and you take 1 dose a day at bedtime, contact your doctor. Do not take the dose in the morning because of possible side effects. If you take 2 or more doses a day, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Imipramine at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Are there any Imipramine side effects? Imipramine side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Imipramine side effects may include abdominal cramps, agitation, anxiety, black tongue, bleeding sores, blood disorders, blurred vision, breast development in males, confusion, congestive heart failure, constipation or diarrhea, cough, fever, sore throat, delusions, dilated pupils, disorientation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, episodes of elation or irritability, excessive or spontaneous flow of milk, fatigue, fever, flushing, frequent urination or difficulty or delay in urinating, hair loss, hallucinations, headache, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, high or low blood sugar, high pressure of fluid in the eyes, hives, impotence, increased or decreased sex drive, inflammation of the mouth, insomnia, intestinal blockage, irregular heartbeat, lack of coordination, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, nightmares, odd taste in mouth, palpitations, purple or reddish-brown spots on skin, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizures, sensitivity to light, skin itching and rash, stomach upset, stroke, sweating, swelling due to fluid retention, swelling of breasts, swelling of testicles, swollen glands, tendency to fall, tingling, pins and needles, and numbness in hands and feet, tremors, visual problems, vomiting, weakness, weight gain or loss, and yellowed skin and whites of eyes. The most common Imipramine side effects in children being treated for bedwetting are nervousness, sleep disorders, stomach and intestinal problems, and tiredness. Other Imipramine side effects in children are anxiety, collapse, constipation, convulsions, emotional instability, and fainting. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Imipramine? If Imipramine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Never combine Imipramine with an MAO inhibitor. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Imipramine with Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), Antidepressants that act on serotonin (including Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft), Barbiturates (such as Nembutal and Seconal), Blood pressure medications (such as Ismelin, Catapres, and Wytensin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Decongestants (such as Sudafed), Drugs that control spasms (such as Cogentin), Epinephrine (EpiPen), Flecainide (Tambocor), Major tranquilizers (such as Mellaril and Thorazine), Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Norepinephrine, Other antidepressants (such as Elavil and Pamelor), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Propafenone (Rythmol), Quinidine (Quinaglute), Thyroid medications (such as Synthroid), or Tranquilizers and sleep aids (such as Halcion, Xanax, and Valium). Extreme drowsiness and other potentially serious effects can result if Imipramine is combined with alcohol or other mental depressants, such as narcotic painkillers (Percocet), sleeping medications (Halcion), or tranquilizers (Valium). If you are switching from Prozac, wait at least 5 weeks after your last dose of Prozac before starting Imipramine. Are there any special warnings about Imipramine? You should use Imipramine cautiously if you have or have ever had: narrow-angle glaucoma; difficulty in urinating; heart, liver, kidney, or thyroid disease; or seizures. Also be cautious if you are taking thyroid medication. General feelings of illness, headache, and nausea can result if you suddenly stop taking Imipramine. Follow your doctor's instructions closely when discontinuing Imipramine. Tell your doctor if you develop a sore throat or fever while taking Imipramine. Imipramine may impair your ability to drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery. Do not participate in any activities that require full alertness if you are unsure about your ability. Imipramine can make you sensitive to light. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible while you are taking it. If you are going to have elective surgery, your doctor will take you off Imipramine. |
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