Imipramine : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Imipramine / melipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drug that block norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, & indicated for depression primarily.
Dose : 50-200 mg
Route : Oral
Plasma Half-life : 16-24 hours
Duration of action : N/A
Bioavailability : 94-96%
Chemical formula : C19H24N2
IUPAC name : 3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine
Trade name : Tofranil, Depsonil, Antidep
Therapeutic uses :
Imipramine has following usage :
- Primarily indicated as anti-depressant drug for treating moderate to severe depression (Major/endogenous depression).
- Used for relief in diabetic & some other types of chronic pain.
- Implicated as first line drug Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder ADHD in children.
- It has been used to control bed-wetting (enuresis) in children older than 6 years of age.
- May be effective in Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD and phobic states.
- May reduce compulsive eating in bulimia, and help patients with body dysmorphic disorder, compulsive buying and kleptomania.
Side effects :
Imipramine also block α-adrenergic, histaminic, and muscarinic receptors, thus, side effects are common with tricyclic antidepressants. Imipramine may produce following side effects:
- Blurred vision,
- Xerostomia (dry mouth),
- Urinary retention,
- Sinus tachycardia,
- Constipation,
- Bad taste,
- Epigastric distress,
- Aggravation of angle-closure glaucoma,
- Sedation,
- Orthostatic hypotension,
- Dizziness,
- Reflex tachycardia,
- Increased appetite,
- Weight gain,
- Sweating and fine tremors,
- Lowered seizure threshold,
- Sexual dysfunction,
- May exacerbate certain medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, epilepsy, and preexisting arrhythmias.TCAs also have quinidine-like effects on cardiac conduction that can be life threatening with overdose and limit the use of TCAs in patients with coronary heart disease.
Contraindications :
- TCAs (like all antidepressants) should be used with caution in patients with bipolar disorder, even during their depressed state, because antidepressants may cause a switch to manic behavior.
- The TCAs have a narrow therapeutic index (for example, five- to sixfold the maximal daily dose of imipramine can be lethal).
- Depressed patients who are suicidal should be given only limited quantities of these drugs and be monitored closely.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
