Desipramine (Norpramin) is an tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It's FDA-approved to treat depression in adults, but it's not a first-choice medication for this condition. Desipramine (Norpramin) is taken by mouth, typically once per day. Side effects of this medication include sleepiness, confusion, and weight gain. It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking desipramine (Norpramin) because doing so can worsen side effects.
Desipramine (Norpramin) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The exact way it works isn't known. Desipramine (Norpramin) is thought to work by raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which can improve mood.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
black, tarry stools
blurred or double vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chest pain or discomfort
confusion about identity, place, and time
convulsions
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
irritability
light-colored stools
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
muscle spasms or jerking of all extremities
nightmares
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
rash
restlessness
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shakiness and unsteady walk
slow speech
sore throat and fever
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stiffness of the limbs
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
swelling
swollen glands
talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
trouble sleeping
twisting body movements
unsteadiness, trembling, or problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps
bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
hair loss or thinning of the hair
inability to have or keep an erection
increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts in females
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Available as a lower-cost generic
Comes in many different strengths, which makes dose adjustments easier
Can be taken just once a day
Not a first-choice treatment option because of side effects
Can cause withdrawal symptoms, like headache and nausea, if you suddenly stop taking it
Can raise risk of suicidal thinking in children, teens, and young adults
Take desipramine (Norpramin) at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. But it's recommended to take it with food because the medication can upset your stomach and sometimes cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Your provider will make adjustments to your desipramine (Norpramin) dose over time to find the dose that works best for you. Talk to your provider if you're concerned with how well desipramine (Norpramin) is working for you.
Antidepressant medications, like desipramine (Norpramin), can worsen symptoms of depression or raise the risk of suicidal thoughts. Contact your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice any new or worsening changes in your behavior or mood while you're taking the medication.
Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking desipramine (Norpramin) without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause bothersome withdrawal symptoms like nausea, irritability, and sleep problems. Follow your provider's instructions to lower your dose slowly over a period of time to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Desipramine (Norpramin) can cause side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, and vision changes. Don't drive or do anything that requires you to focus until you know how this medication affects you. Also, avoid alcohol because it can worsen side effects.
If you have an upcoming surgery, tell your provider you're taking desipramine (Norpramin). They might need to pause your treatment because this medication might cause heart-related problems, such high blood pressure levels, in surgery.
Make sure to tell your providers about all of the medications you're taking. Don't start any new medications without talking to your provider first. Some medications, like sedatives, antihistamines, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can interact with desipramine (Norpramin) cause or worsen serious side effects.
If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk with your provider. Desipramine (Norpramin) is one of the medications preferred during pregnancy. But it can cause bothersome side effects, such as constipation and dizziness. Your provider can talk with you about antidepressant options during pregnancy.
Desipramine (Norpramin) is likely safe to take while breastfeeding because studies show very little, if any, medication gets into breastmilk. This means it's likely not going to get passed to your baby and cause side effects. But to be safe, make sure to ask your provider if it's okay for you to breastfeed while taking desipramine (Norpramin).
Desipramine (Norpramin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Age 24 years and younger | History of depression or other mental health conditions | Heavy alcohol use
Taking desipramine (Norpramin) can make your depression worse and cause you to have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. The risk is highest if you're 24 years of age or younger, during the first few weeks of taking the medication, and when your dose changes. Get medical help right away if you or anyone around you notices that you have suicidal thoughts or unusual behavior (e.g., anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness) while you're taking desipramine (Norpramin).
Depression can be the first sign of bipolar disorder. If you're at risk for bipolar disorder, taking antidepressants, like desipramine (Norpramin), by themselves can trigger a bipolar manic episode. Before starting desipramine (Norpramin), your provider will check to see whether you have or are at risk for bipolar disorder. Desipramine (Norpramin) isn't used to treat bipolar depression. Talk to your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice unusual changes in your behavior, such as racing thoughts, restlessness, getting easily distracted, or unusual talkativeness.
Risk factors: Taking desipramine (Norpramin) with other medications that raise serotonin levels
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening, condition that happens when there's too much serotonin active in the brain. This is more likely to happen if you're also taking other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as other antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), lithium (Lithobid), triptans, and St. John's Wort. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heartbeat, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion. Go to the emergency room right away if you think you're having these symptoms.
Risk factors: History of heart problems | History of thyroid problems | Taking high doses of desipramine (Norpramin)
It's possible for desipramine (Norpramin) to affect your heart rhythm and cause a fast or irregular heart beat (e.g., arrhythmia). In addition, some people taking medications like desipramine (Norpramin) have had a heart attack or stroke during treatment. If you have any heart problems or had a stroke before, talk to your provider before starting desipramine (Norpramin) to see whether this medication is right for you.
Risk factors: History of angle-closure glaucoma
Desipramine (Norpramin) can lead to or worsen angle-closure glaucoma. You might need to see your optometrist regularly and get eye exams to check your eyes and make sure your vision isn't worsening. Contact your provider if you notice changes in your vision after starting desipramine (Norpramin).
Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure | Kidney problems
Desipramine (Norpramin) can make you feel tired. It can also lower your blood pressure, which can make you feel dizzy or lose your balance. These can all lead to accidental falls and injuries. When standing from a sitting or lying position, make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something. Contact your provider if you still feel dizzy after a couple weeks of starting the medication or experience a fall while taking desipramine (Norpramin). They might recommend that you switch to a different medication.
Risk factors: History of seizures | Taking high doses of desipramine (Norpramin)
Desipramine (Norpramin) might raise your risk for seizures, especially when it's used at higher doses. If you've had a seizure before, discuss with your provider to see whether desipramine (Norpramin) is right for you.
The dose is typically started low and slowly raised based on how well it's working to treat your symptoms and if you're having side effects.
Adults: The typical dose ranges from 100 mg to 200 mg by mouth daily. The maximum daily dose is 300 mg.
Adolescents and older adults: The typical dose ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg by mouth daily. The maximum daily dose is 150 mg.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days
Recent heart attack
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