Desipramine
Desipramine
Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder by boosting neurotransmitters in the brain. It offers benefits for other conditions, such as neuropathic pain, anxiety, ADHD, and nocturnal enuresis in children. Desipramine is generally well-tolerated and available in generic form, making it a cost-effective option. However, it carries a black box warning for increased suicide risk, especially in young people, and may cause several side effects, including dizziness, nausea, and heart issues.
Product Overview
Desipramine is an effective tricyclic antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder by increasing certain neurotransmitter levels in the brain, thereby enhancing mood and emotional stability. It also addresses symptoms such as low mood, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.
Beyond depression, desipramine is beneficial for managing chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, and is sometimes used to treat anxiety, ADHD, and nocturnal enuresis in children when other treatments fail. Despite its benefits, desipramine comes with an FDA black box alert about the risk of suicidal thoughts among younger users during initial use or dose changes.
You may experience some common side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, and gastrointestinal issues. Desipramine is available in various strengths from 10 mg to 150 mg tablets and is typically prescribed with a gradual dosage increase to mitigate side effects. Patients are advised to closely follow medical guidance due to the drug’s interaction potential and safety considerations.
What Is the Drug Desipramine Used For?
- It is used to treat depression
What Are the Benefits of Desipramine?
- Can help improve symptoms like low mood, loss of interest, sleep problems, and changes in appetite.
- May provide relief from chronic pain conditions, particularly neuropathic pain.
- Can be helpful in treating anxiety when it occurs alongside depression.
- May help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in some patients.
- Can help treat bedwetting in children (nocturnal enuresis) when other treatments haven’t worked.
- Once-daily dosing makes it convenient for patients to maintain their treatment schedule.
- Long track record of use, with well-documented safety and efficacy data.
- Available in generic form, making it a more affordable treatment option.
- Effects are usually noticed within 2-3 weeks of consistent use.
- Can be effective in patients who haven’t responded well to other antidepressants.
What Are the Side Effects of Desipramine?
Common Desipramine side effects may include:
- Blurry Vision
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Reduced libido or erectile dysfunction
- Dizziness
- Trouble Urinating
- Vomiting
- Loss of Appetite
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- High or low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
[Note: This list is not exhaustive, if you notice any other symptoms that are not mentioned above, consult your doctor immediately.]
What Are the Forms & Strengths of Desipramine?
It comes in the oral tablet form and is available in the following strengths:
- Desipramine 10 mg tablet
- Desipramine 25 mg tablet
- Desipramine 50 mg tablet
- Desipramine 75 mg tablet
- Desipramine 100 mg tablet
- Desipramine 150 mg tablet
What Is the Typical Dosage of Desipramine?
Dosage of Desipramine for Treating Depression
Adults (18-64 years):
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- Starting Dosage: Initial treatment often begins with a low dosage, adjusted as necessary. This can be split into multiple doses or taken as a single daily dose.
- Usual Dosage: Generally, 100–200 mg daily, either in divided doses or as one dose.
- Maintenance Dosage: For long-term treatment after improvement in depression, use the lowest effective dose, which can be taken once daily.
- Maximum Dosage: Up to 300 mg per day. Hospitalization is recommended for this level of dosage for close monitoring of heart functions.
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For Seniors (65 years and older) and Teenagers (13-17 years):
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- Typical Dosage: 25–100 mg per day, can be split or taken as one dose.
- Maintenance Dosage: After improvement, the lowest effective dose should be used and can be taken once daily.
- Maximum Dosage: Can increase to 100 mg, up to 150 mg in severe cases, but not exceeding 150 mg per day.
- Children (Under 13 years): Desipramine is not recommended for this age group.
How to Take Desipramine?
- Before starting Desipramine, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist and ask any questions to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Take Desipramine orally, with or without food, as your doctor prescribes, usually 1 to 3 times daily.
- Dosage is tailored to your medical condition and how you respond to treatment, starting low and gradually increasing.
- Desipramine might affect your sleep, so take your dose in the morning or at bedtime based on how it affects you.
- Always follow your doctor’s instructions precisely without adjusting the dose yourself.
- Take Desipramine consistently at the same time each day for the best results.
- Continue taking Desipramine even if you feel well. Don’t stop suddenly without talking to your doctor as some conditions may worsen. Gradual dose reduction may be necessary.
What to Do When You Miss a Dose of Desipramine?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double up doses.
[Note: Do not take two doses of Desipramine at the same time to compensate for a missed dose. This can increase your risk of experiencing side effects.]
What Happens When You Overdose on Desipramine?
An overdose of Desipramine can be serious, showing symptoms like altered heart rates, very low blood pressure, enlarged pupils, extreme agitation, muscle twitches, stiff muscles, vomiting, and severe temperature changes. It can lead to drowsiness, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, coma, or even death. If you suspect an overdose, immediately call your doctor or poison control. For severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
[Note: If you notice you have taken too much medication, call your local emergency number immediately.]
How Does Desipramine Work?
Desipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, is believed to work by blocking the reabsorption of norepinephrine in the brain. This increases norepinephrine levels, which helps improve mood and combat depression.
What Are the Important Safety Precautions of Desipramine?
- Black Box Warning: Desipramine has an FDA black box warning for increased risk of suicidal thoughts, especially in young people during the early treatment phases or dose changes. Monitor mood and behavior closely.
- Worsening Depression: Can exacerbate depression symptoms; watch for increased suicidality, panic attacks, or mood swings.
- Drowsiness/Dizziness: May cause drowsiness or dizziness; avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Surgery Precautions: Stop taking desipramine before elective surgery to avoid high blood pressure complications.
- Allergies: Report allergies to tricyclic antidepressants and any other allergies; some inactive ingredients may cause reactions.
- Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in children are unclear; use only after careful evaluation.
- Geriatric Use: Increased risk of confusion and falls in older adults; dosage adjustments may be necessary.
- Breastfeeding: Safety during breastfeeding is not established; discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
How Do You Store Desipramine?
- Store Desipramine at room temperature, between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
- Keep the medication out of reach of children.
- Dispose of any expired or unneeded medication properly.
What Drugs Interact with Desipramine?
- Interactions with MAO inhibitors
- Contraindicated Medications:
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- Furazolidone,
- Bepridil,
- Cisapride,
- Bromopride,
- Dronedarone, & many others
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- Medications with Possible Dose Adjustments:
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- Aceclofenac,
- Abiraterone Acetate,
- Acecainide, & many others
[Note: This list of interactions isn’t complete. Talk to your doctor if you notice any interaction with food, over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions or supplements.]
What Are the Desipramine Alternatives?
- Desyrel (trazodone)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Effexor XR (venlafaxine)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
- Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- Pamelor (nortriptyline)
- Elavil (amitriptyline)
- Remeron (mirtazapine)
[Note: Your healthcare provider will choose which Desipramine alternative is best for you. Taking or consuming them by yourself may cause serious side effects.]
Desipramine Cost & Coupons
For Americans seeking cost-effective treatment options for depression, Arctic Meds offers Desipramine at significantly reduced prices. You can buy Desipramine online from Canada through our platform, ensuring you get your medication without the heavy financial burden typical in the U.S. markets. Utilize the Desipramine coupon code ARCTIC10 to get an additional 10% off your first order. By joining our referral program, you can further reduce your costs, potentially saving up to $200 on your Desipramine purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does desipramine work?
Desipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, may start to affect symptoms within 2-5 days, but it typically takes 2-3 weeks to observe significant improvements in depression symptoms.
Can you drink alcohol with desipramine?
You should not drink alcohol while taking desipramine. Mixing the two can lead to dangerous side effects or even death. This medication can also impair your ability to think clearly or react quickly, so be cautious when driving or engaging in activities that require alertness.
Does desipramine cause weight gain or loss?
Desipramine often leads to decreased appetite and weight loss. This contrasts with some similar medications, which may not affect weight or appetite significantly.
Does desipramine help with pain?
Desipramine can help relieve pain from diabetic neuropathy, working in a similar way to another antidepressant, amitriptyline. It is effective for patients who cannot tolerate amitriptyline, mainly by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the brain, which helps to reduce pain.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The information available on the Arctic Meds website is intended to enhance awareness about healthcare products and medical conditions. It is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any prescription or non-prescription medication. Our platform offers access to a broad selection of products that are sourced from various countries including Canada. We operate with both a licensed partnered pharmacy located in Canada along with reputable dispensing pharmacies located globally. All affiliated fulfillment centers are approved by the regulatory bodies of their respective countries.