Desipramine is used to treat depression.
What is Desipramine?
Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by blocking the reabsorption of norepinephrine neurotransmitters to a minor extent serotonin synapse, which is the contact points between neurons, in turn altering brain activity.
How should Desipramine be taken?
Typically, Desipramine is taken orally in the form of tablets. Dosage can range from one to more doses per day. The physician may initially prescribe a low dose of the drug and then increase it gradually whenever necessary.
Side effects associated with Desipramine
Possible side effects of Desipramine include the following:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nightmares
- Dry mouth
- Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
- Appetite or weight changes
- Constipation
- Urination difficulties or frequent urination
- Sexual problems
- Excessive sweating
You should immediately contact your doctor if the drug triggers:
- Jaw, neck, or back muscle spasms
- Difficulty speaking
- Uncontrollable tremors
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Jaundice
- Severe rash
- Arrhythmias
- Convulsions
- Sore throat , fever and other symptoms of ongoing infection
- shuffling gait
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Desipramine
Treatment with Desipramine may be necessary for at least 2 or 3 weeks. It is important to be patient and avoid disrupting treatment without first consulting your doctor. The same is advised in cases where you may feel better: sudden interruption of therapy can in fact trigger withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headache, and weakness. Smoking may reduce the efficacy of Desipramine.
The drug can interfere with the ability to drive and operate hazardous machinery; it can also increase the risk of narrow-angle glaucoma.
Before taking Desipramine, it is important to inform your doctor:
- If you have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or other medicines. Mentioning in particular: clomipramine, imipramine or trimipramine
- If you are taking any other medicinal products, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: MAO inhibitors (even if you finished taking them two weeks prior), anticoagulants, antihistamines, cimetidine, estrogen, flecainide, fluoxetine, guanethidine, levodopa, lithium, high blood pressure medications, seizure medications, Parkinson's disease medications, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, nausea, asthma, colds or allergies, methylphenidate, muscle relaxants, oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, propafenone, quinidine, sedatives, SSRI, sleeping pills, thyroid medication and tranquilizers;
- If you suffer (or have suffered) from cardiovascular disease, prostatic hyperplasia, urination problems, diabetes, seizures, hyperthyroidism, schizophrenia, liver or kidney disease;
- If you have suffered a recent heart attack or if you have a family history of abnormal heart beat or sudden death;
- If you are pregnant, have recently given birth or if you are currently breast-feeding
It is important to inform surgeons or dentists about any ongoing treatment with Desipramine.
