Imipramine
Imipramine (im IP ra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for depression in adults and bedwetting in certain children. Imipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Imipramine (im IP ra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for depression in adults and bedwetting in certain children. Imipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 50mg
- • 30 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on October 30, 2023
Imipramine (im IP ra meen) is a generic medication prescribed for depression in adults and bedwetting in certain children. Imipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
These approved uses differ based on the form of imipramine your doctor prescribes.
This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of imipramine. To find coupons for imipramine oral capsule, see this article.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Imipramine oral tablet and oral capsule have a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for imipramine” section.
Side effects
Side effects of imipramine
Imipramine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of imipramine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about imipramine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for imipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of imipramine are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about imipramine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for imipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Imipramine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- constipation
- dry mouth
- nausea or vomiting
- tiredness
- nervousness*
- mild allergic reaction†
Imipramine oral capsule’s mild side effects include:
- constipation
- dry mouth
- nausea or vomiting
- tiredness
- mild allergic reaction†
* In studies, this side effect was seen in children ages 6 years and older.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for imipramine” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of imipramine are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about imipramine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for imipramine listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, imipramine’s serious side effects include:
- activation of mania (periods of very high energy that can interfere with daily life)
- changes in blood sugar levels
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
- hair loss
- heart problems
- high blood pressure
- increased sensitivity to the sun, which can lead to serious sunburn
- liver problems
- low white blood cells or platelets
- movement or coordination difficulties
- nerve problems
- paralytic ileus (short-term paralysis of the intestines)
- seizures
- difficulties with sexual health
- stroke
- sudden low blood pressure when standing or sitting up, which can lead to fainting and falls
- urinary retention (being unable to empty your bladder)
- withdrawal symptoms (side effects that happen when you suddenly stop a drug)
- boxed warning(s): risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for imipramine” section.
FAQ
Common questions about imipramine
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about imipramine.
What brand names are available for imipramine?
Imipramine is available as the brand-name drug, Tofranil. Imipramine is the generic version of this brand-name product.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does imipramine work? And how long does it take to start working?
Imipramine’s mechanism of action (how it works) isn’t fully understood. It likely works in depression by balancing brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals play a role in mood. Balancing them may help ease symptoms of mood disorders. It’s unclear how imipramine works to treat bedwetting in children.
Like other antidepressants, imipramine usually relieves some symptoms within the first couple of weeks. But it can take up to 8 weeks to see the full effect the drug will have on depression. For bedwetting in children, it may take up to a week to see an effect. The full effect may take a few weeks.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can imipramine be used for sleep?
No, probably not. Imipramine isn’t approved for helping with sleep. It may cause drowsiness as a side effect. But it also can cause sleep problems in some people, such as difficulty sleeping or nightmares. These problems usually lessen after the first few weeks of taking imipramine.
If you have depression and difficulty sleeping, imipramine may help improve sleep by treating depression. That’s because sleep problems can be a symptom of depression.
If you’re having difficulty sleeping, talk with your doctor. They can explore the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
Does imipramine cause long-term side effects?
It isn’t known whether there are long-term side effects from taking imipramine. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with imipramine.
Is imipramine similar to amitriptyline?
Yes, imipramine is similar to amitriptyline. They’re both tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drugs. They both treat depression and have similar side effects and warnings. But amitriptyline isn’t approved to treat bedwetting in children.
People may respond differently to different TCA drugs. So, it’s possible that one TCA drug may work better for you than another.
You can learn more about how these two drugs compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist. If you feel like your current antidepressant isn’t working well for you, tell your doctor. They may be able to adjust your treatment.
Uses
Uses of imipramine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as imipramine for certain conditions. Approved uses for imipramine are described below. These uses differ based on the form of imipramine prescribed.
Use for depression
Doctors may prescribe imipramine oral tablet or oral capsule for treating depression. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With depression, you have changes in the way you feel, think, or act. These changes can affect how you perform certain daily activities. Common depression symptoms include:
- feeling sad, hopeless, useless, or worthless
- lack of interest in activities
- loss of appetite
- low energy
- sleep problems or excessive sleep
Imipramine can help relieve these symptoms.
Use for prevention of bedwetting in children
Doctors may prescribe imipramine oral tablet for treating bedwetting. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 6 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With bedwetting, children urinate accidentally while they sleep at night. It’s a common concern and can be difficult for them to manage. Bedwetting in a child is often linked to having a parent that wet the bed in childhood. Stress can also play a role.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for imipramine
Below, you’ll find information about imipramine’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of imipramine
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take imipramine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for imipramine” section below.
Warnings for imipramine
Some people should not take imipramine, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Imipramine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Taking antidepressants, such as imipramine, increases the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children and people younger than 25 years old. The risk is highest during the first few months of treatment and when changing the dosage.
Due to this risk, doctors closely monitor for signs of new or worsening mental health conditions. This is especially important in people younger than 25 years old. Symptoms may include changes in behavior, feelings, thoughts, or mood.
If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, call 911.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please get support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Other warnings
Imipramine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether imipramine is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for imipramine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Imipramine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to imipramine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe imipramine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause difficulty breathing
If you have an allergic reaction to imipramine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of imipramine
You should not take more imipramine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much imipramine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and imipramine
Information about imipramine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Imipramine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether imipramine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Your doctor may talk with you about the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. It monitors outcomes for the use of imipramine and other antidepressants during pregnancy. You can register by calling 866-961-2388 or visiting this website.
Imipramine and breastfeeding
Imipramine should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with imipramine.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about imipramine or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What is the most important information I need to know about imipramine?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects from taking imipramine than other people?
- How does imipramine compare with other medications that could treat my condition?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Imipramine hydrochloride tablets, USP. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2f7d5e7f-79aa-4f3a-b9a6-758d9f3ce74d/spl-doc
- Imipramine pamoate capsules USP. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d1dde497-1889-4424-af18-da7ca6459cf3/spl-doc
- Wichniak A, et al. (2017). Effects of antidepressants on sleep. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5548844/
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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