What is Imipramine
Imipramine is a medicine with a prescription. They come in the form of oral tablets and oral capsules. The oral tablet Imipramine is available as a brand name drug called Tofranil. It's available as a generic drug as well. Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant which is used in the treatment of depressive symptoms. The medicine is often used in children 6 years of age and older to treat bed-wetting.
Imipramine Uses
For the treatment of depression, Imipramine drug is used. It is also used in the treatment of nighttime bed-wetting (enuresis) in children with other therapies. Your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level can be enhanced by using this drug to treat depression and can help regain your interest in everyday living. Imipramine can help your baby control bed-wetting at night. Imipramine is in a class of medicines known as tricyclic antidepressants. It works by restoring the balance in the brain of certain natural substances (norepinephrine-like neurotransmitters). This medication can work for bed-wetting by blocking the effect on the bladder of a certain natural substance (acetylcholine).
Imipramine Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Imipramine are
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Weakness or Tiredness
- Excitement or anxiety
- Dry mouths
- Skin gets more sensitive
- Constipation
- Urinating
- Excessive sweating
Some of the serious side effects of Imipramine are:
- Jaw, neck and back muscle spasms
- Shuffling walk
- Difficulty in swallowing and breathing
- Rash
- Yellowing of the skin
- Irregular heartbeat
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Imipramine if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Imipramine side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Imipramine talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredient which can cause some serious problems. Before using Imipramine talk with your doctor if you are having any of the medical histories:
- Breathing problems
- Glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Seizures
- Overactive thyroid
How to take Imipramine?
Imipramine comes as a mouth-taking tablet and capsule. They are usually taken one or more times a day when imipramine tablets or capsules are used to treat depression and can be taken with or without food. They are usually taken one hour before bedtime when imipramine tablets are used to avoid bedwetting in infants. One dose in the mid-afternoon and another at bedtime can be given to children who wet their bed early in the evening. Try taking imipramine every day at approximately the same time. For you to experience the full benefit of imipramine, it can take 1-3 weeks or longer. Even if you feel well, continue taking imipramine. Without consulting your doctor, do not quit taking imipramine. It is likely your doctor would want to reduce your dosage gradually.
Dosages
Drug forms and strengths
Generic: Imipramine
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg
Brand: Tofranil
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 50 mg
Dosage for depression
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Typical starting dosage: 75 mg per day
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Azithromycin won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Azithromycin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Warning for some Serious Health Conditions
For people with Bipolar Disorder
Without taking other drugs to treat your bipolar disorder, you cannot take this medicine. Imipramine can make the symptoms of your mania worse.
For people with history of trouble in urinating
Before beginning this treatment, speak with your doctor if you have trouble urinating. Your symptoms can worsen with this medication.
For people with Open-angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma can be made worse by this drug. While you're taking this medication, your doctor can control your vision.
For people with history of Seizure Disorder
The number of seizures you have could be increased by this drug. If you have a seizure disorder, the doctor can prescribe you a different medicine.
For people with history of Heart Disease
This medication can make your condition worse if you have a history of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or a quick heartbeat. If you've had a heart attack lately, you shouldn't use this medicine.
For Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are not been assigned to take imipramine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whether imipramine is safe and efficient for use in pregnant women is not known.
For Breastfeeding
In a child who is breastfed, imipramine can transfer into breast milk and may cause side effects. If you're breastfeeding your kid, speak to the doctor.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking imipramine consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking imipramine rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take imipramine.
Imipramine vs Amitriptyline
| Imipramine | Amitriptyline |
|---|---|
| Imipramine is a medicine with a prescription. They come in the form of oral tablets and oral capsules. The oral tablet Imipramine is available as a brand name drug called Tofranil. | Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with sedative effects. The medication affects a certain chemical messenger which communicates between brain cells and helps in regulating mood. |
| For the treatment of depression, Imipramine drug is used. It is also used in the treatment of nighttime bed-wetting (enuresis) in children with other therapies | Amitriptyline is used for the treatment of depressions. This belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The medication can also help in improving mood and feelings of well- being. |
Some of the common side effects of Imipramine are:
|
Most common side effects of Amitriptyline are: |
