Trimipramine is used to treat depression, especially when you experience anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability or restlessness.
Take Trimipramine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Trimipramine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease (e.g. recent heart attack, heart block, irregular heartbeat)
- mania (feeling highly excited, being over-active and easily irritated or distracted)
- severe liver disease
as Trimipramine may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken other medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
- diabetes
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes)
- enlarged prostate gland
- difficulty urinating
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Trimipramine to an elderly. The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Certain genetic traits (
CYP2D6, CYP2C19) can affect your response to this medicine. Individuals who are poor metabolisers may experience enhanced side effects of this medicine while ultrarapid metabolisers may not fully respond to this medicine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. liver function, blood glucose) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.
Notify your doctor if you have recently undergone electroshock therapy (also known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT).
Medicines for depression such as Trimipramine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. As depression and some psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide, it is important for you or your family members to monitor your condition especially at the start of treatment and if your dosage is still being adjusted. If you experience new or sudden changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts or feelings or a worsening of your depression with suicidal thoughts or attempts, harm to self or harm to others, contact your doctor immediately.
What lifestyle changes should I make to cope with depression?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help increase energy and hormones in the body such as serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals that minimise mood swings. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep may cause irritability, moodiness, sadness, and tiredness.
Trimipramine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: rash, dry mouth, constipation, unusual sweating, shaking, and bone fractures.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- having thoughts of self-harm
- overactive behaviour or thoughts, paranoia, hallucinations
- fits or seizure
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes with stomach pain, persistent tiredness, nausea or vomiting
- changes in sex drive
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Trimipramine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Do not take this medicine with the following medicines:
- linezolid (certain antibiotic)
- IV methylene blue (medicine for certain blood disorder)
- strong painkillers e.g. tramadol, fentanyl
- lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
- buspirone (medicine for anxiety)
- tryptophan (medicine to treat depression)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. clonidine, guanethidine, debrisoquine, bethanidine
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. procainamide, amiodarone
- certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, erythromycin
- medicines used to treat epilepsy (seizures or fits) e.g. phenobarbital
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with this medicine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Trimipramine.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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