Opipramol

Oral
Depression

Intoxication with alcohol, barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Benign prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention; glaucoma; pyloric stenosis, bowel obstruction; predisposition to seizures or epilepsy. Severe hepatic and renal impairment.

Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Bradycardia, cardiac, arrhythmias;; hypokalaemia. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Monitor LFTs on prolonged use. Pregnancy and lactation.

Dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, increased sweating, blurred vision, speech impairment, tremors, heart rhythm disturbances, palpitations, orthostatic hypotension, liver dysfunction, constipation, wt gain, urinary retention, decreased libido, increased thirst, rash, urticaria.

PO: C

Symptoms: Excitement, restlessness, marked antimuscarinic effects (e.g. dry mouth, hot dry skin, dilated pupils, tachycardia, urinary retention, intestinal stasis), unconsciousness, convulsions and myoclonus, hyperreflexia, hypothermia, hypotension, metabolic acidosis, respiratory and cardiac depression, cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment: Symptomatic and supportive care.

Reduced hypotensive effect of guanethidine, clonidine. Additive CNS depression or may potentiate the action of CNS depressants e.g. alcohol, sedatives or hypnotics. Increased effects/toxicity with cimetidine, phenothiazines, haloperidol, SSRIs. May increase effects of oral anticoagulants. Increased risk of arrhythmias with quinidine. Additive toxicity with other anticholinergics.
Potentially Fatal: Severe and sometimes fatal reactions may occur with MAOIs; at least 2 wk should elapse between discontinuance of a TCA or a MAOI and initiation of therapy with other drug class. May increase pressor and cardiac effects of sympathomimetics.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Opipramol is a TCA. It exerts its antidepressant action by blocking the neuronal re-uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin.

Antidepressants