Imipramine is used to treat depression.
This medicine can also be used to treat night-time bed-wetting in children.
Imipramine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Imipramine 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.
For children experiencing bed-wetting, it is best to take Imipramine before bedtime.
Imipramine is available as a tablet, capsule, or solution.
If you are taking an oral solution, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
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.
Imipramine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could 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. recovering from a heart attack, heart block, irregular heartbeat
- acute porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
- mania (feeling highly excited, being over-active and easily irritated or distracted)
- severe liver disease
as Imipramine may not be suitable for you.
Do not give this medicine to children below 6 years old unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Do not take Imipramine if you are currently taking or have taken a 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:
- enlarged prostate gland
- low blood pressure
- heart disease e.g. recent heart attack, stroke, rapid heartbeat, abnormal heartbeat
- liver disease
- diabetes
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- kidney disease
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- severe constipation
- inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating
- mood changes between feeling very high (mania) and very low (depression)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol, if you are a frequent drinker, or if you have problems related to alcohol withdrawal.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood tests, sugar and electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Regular monitoring of mental status, social functioning, weight, and body mass index (BMI) may also be needed.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Notify your doctor if you have recently undergone electroshock therapy (also known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT).
Medicines for depression such as Imipramine 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.
Imipramine may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
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.
Imipramine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Other side effects include any of the following: tiredness, sleep disturbances, headache, hot flushes, sweating, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, dry mouth and change in sex drive.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- changes in behaviour
- having thoughts of self-harm
- irregular or fast heartbeats
- difficulty passing urine
- tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- fits (seizure)
- frequent and persistent sore throat with fever
- bone fractures
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 Imipramine if you are currently taking or have taken a 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 and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. clonidine, guanethidine
- medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease e.g. selegiline, entacapone
- other medicines used to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, fluvoxamine
- medicines used to treat anxiety e.g. diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam
- cimetidine (gastric medicine)
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- methylphenidate (medicine to treat hyperactivity disorders)
- linezolid (antibiotic)
- medicine for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- disulfiram (medicine used to treat alcohol addiction)
- strong painkillers e.g. tramadol, codeine
- medicines used to treat heart disease e.g. diltiazem, verapamil, labetalol, propranolol, quinidine
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Imipramine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
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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