Desipramine is used to treat depression.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Desipramine 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 food to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause.
The dose of Desipramine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Desipramine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
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.
Do not take Despramine if you are recovering from a recent heart attack as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Desipramine with medicines used to treat depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), certain antibiotics or medicine for blood disorder. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- thyroid disease
- decreased gastric motility (movement of food from the mouth through the digestive tract and out of the body)
- bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines
- inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating
- prostate enlargement
- dry mouth
- eye problems
- diabetes
- conditions that may put you at risk for seizures e.g. head trauma, brain damage, alcoholism
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Desipramine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Some genetic traits can affect this medicine’s level in the blood. Individuals who have reduced CYP2D6 activity, also known as poor metabolisers of CYP2D6 may experience enhanced effects from Desipramine (e.g. confusion, drowsiness). Individuals who have increased CYP2D6 activity, also known as ultrarapid metabolisers of CYP2D6 may experience reduced efficacy of Desipramine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Medicines for depression such as Desipramine 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.
Desipramine may impair your physical or mental alertness. 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: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, black tongue, irregular or abnormal heartbeat, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, dilation of the pupil of the eye, weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, itching, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- agitation, confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- having thoughts of self-harm
Desipramine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Desipramine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
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 Desipramine if you are currently taking or have taken 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.
Do not take this Desipramine with the following medicines:
- linezolid (antibiotic)
- methylthioninium chloride (medicine for blood disorder)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- medicines for anxiety or sleep disorder e.g. diazepam
- guanethidine (medicine for high blood pressure)
- sumatriptan (medicine for migraine)
- fentanyl (strong painkiller)
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- buspirone (medicine for anxiety)
- other medicines for depression e.g. tryptophan, amitriptyline
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Desipramine.
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.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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