1/10/2019 Norpramin (desipramine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more
This site is intended for healthcare professionals
desipramine (Rx)
Brand and Other Names: Norpramin
Classes: Antidepressants, TCAs
Patient Handout
20114
Patient Education
desipramine oral
DESIPRAMINE - ORAL
(des-IP-ra-meen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Norpramin
WARNING: Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including
depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal
thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small
number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition
may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal
thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits
of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a
mental/mood condition.Tell the doctor right away if you notice worsening depression/other
psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts),
or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping,
irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be
especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is
changed.
USES: Desipramine is used to treat depression. This medication may improve your mood, sleep,
appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. This medication
belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by restoring the balance
of a certain natural substance (norepinephrine) in the brain.
HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions.Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 3 times daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition
and response to treatment. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your
dose. This medication may make you sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how this
medication affects you, your doctor may direct you to take the entire dose once daily either in the
morning or at bedtime.Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less
medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster
and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.It is important to
continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication
without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly
stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.This medication does not work right
away. It may take 2 to 3 weeks before you experience the full benefits when this medication is
used for depression.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/norpramin-desipramine-342939#91 1/4
1/10/2019 Norpramin (desipramine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more
SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section.Headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness,
nervousness, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, increased appetite, weight gain, constipation and dry
mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum,
drink water, or use a saliva substitute.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication
because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many
people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you
have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, hallucinations,
memory problems), enlarged/painful breasts, unusual breast milk production, irregular/painful
menstrual periods, ringing in the ears, sexual problems (e.g., decreased sexual ability, changes in
desire), shakiness (tremors), numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, pain/redness/swelling of arms or
legs, trouble urinating, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat),
severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin.Get medical help right away if
you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat,
seizures, fainting, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, eye pain/swelling/redness,
widened pupils, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night).This medication
may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin
syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so
tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical
help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss
of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles,
unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.This drug may rarely cause a serious nervous
system disorder (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Get medical help right away if you notice any of
the following very serious side effects: muscle stiffness, high fever, increased sweating, fast
heartbeat, sudden mental/mood changes, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount
of urine).A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if
you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially
of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible
side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the
US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-
800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: See also Warning section.Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other tricyclic antidepressants (such as imipramine,
amitriptyline); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients,
which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially
of: breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis), personal or family history of glaucoma
(angle-closure type), diabetes, eating disorders (such as bulimia), heart problems (such as
arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart attack), liver problems, kidney problems, personal or
family history of other mental/mood conditions (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), seizures,
overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), trouble urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate), any
condition that may increase your risk of seizures (including alcohol/sedative dependency, use of
electroconvulsive therapy, brain injury/disease such as stroke), certain types of tumors (such as
pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma).Desipramine may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular
heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention
right away.The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or
are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using desipramine, tell your doctor
or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart
problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart
problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).Low levels of potassium or
magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if
you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe
sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using desipramine safely.Before having
surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.This drug may make you
dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/norpramin-desipramine-342939#91 2/4
1/10/2019 Norpramin (desipramine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more
drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you
can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).To decrease dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or
lying position.This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun.
Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.If you have diabetes,
this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as
directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms
such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication,
exercise program, or diet.Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug,
especially dizziness (more likely when standing up), drowsiness, constipation, trouble urinating,
mental/mood changes (such as confusion, agitation) and heart effects such as QT prolongation
(see above). Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.Caution is
advised when using this drug in children. (See also the Warning section.)This medication should
be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who have taken
similar medications during pregnancy may have symptoms such as trouble urinating, prolonged
sleepiness, shaking, and seizures. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.Since untreated
mental/mood problems (such as depression, panic disorder) can be a serious condition, do not
stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become
pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and
risks of using this medication during pregnancy.This drug passes into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase
your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal
products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of
any medicines without your doctor's approval.Some products that may interact with this drug
include: disopyramide, anticholinergics (including atropine, belladonna alkaloids, scopolamine,
drugs for Parkinson's disease such as benztropine), certain drugs for high blood pressure (such as
clonidine, guanadrel, guanethidine), digoxin, thyroid supplements, valproic acid.Taking MAO
inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking
MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine,
rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most
MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this
medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.The risk of serotonin
syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples
include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including
SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The
risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these
drugs.Other medications can affect the removal of desipramine from your body, which may affect
how desipramine works. Examples include barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), cimetidine,
cisapride, haloperidol, certain drugs for heart rhythm (such as flecainide, propafenone),
halofantrine, HIV protease inhibitors (such as fosamprenavir), phenothiazines (such as
thioridazine), pimozide, certain anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin), antidepressants (such as
trazodone), terbinafine, among others.Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of this medication.
Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have recently stopped smoking.Many drugs besides
desipramine may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation in the EKG), including amiodarone,
dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, sparfloxacin, macrolide antibiotics (such as
erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using desipramine, report all medications you are
currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other
products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as
cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem),
muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as
codeine, hydrocodone).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products)
because they may contain drowsiness-containing ingredients or decongestants that could increase
your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/norpramin-desipramine-342939#91 3/4
1/10/2019 Norpramin (desipramine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more
products.Desipramine is very similar to imipramine. Do not take medications containing imipramine
while using desipramine.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble
breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their
local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison
control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, fast/irregular heartbeat,
fainting, hallucinations, seizures.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood
count, EKG, kidney function tests) may be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check
for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the
next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose
to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour
them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no
longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised April 2019. Copyright(c) 2019 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all
possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe,
effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not
substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional
for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/norpramin-desipramine-342939#91 4/4
