$Unique_ID{BRK03117} $Pretitle{} $Title{desipramine} $Subject{Norpramin Merrell Dow Pertofrane Rorer Tricyclic antidepressant desipramine mental depression chemicals nerve transmission brain} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. desipramine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) desipramine (various manufacturers) Norpramin (Merrell Dow) Pertofrane (Rorer) TYPE OF DRUG Tricyclic antidepressant INGREDIENT desipramine DOSAGE FORMS Capsules (25 mg and 50 mg) Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg) STORAGE Desipramine capsules and tablets should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. USES Desipramine is used to relieve the symptoms of mental depression. This medication belongs to a group of drugs referred to as the tricyclic antidepressants. These medicines are thought to relieve depression by increasing the concentration of certain chemicals necessary for nerve transmission in the brain. TREATMENT This drug should be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes. You can take it with food to lessen stomach irritation, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, then return to your regular dosing schedule. If, however, the dose you missed was a once-a-day bedtime dose, do not take that dose in the morning; check with your doctor instead. If the dose is taken in the morning, it may cause some unwanted side effects. Never double the dose. The effects of therapy with this medication may not become apparent for several weeks. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Agitation, anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, heartburn, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, peculiar tastes in the mouth, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, weakness, or weight gain or loss. As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear. This medication may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. You should, therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard candy. To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are "pumping" your legs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about chest pain, convulsions, difficulty in urinating, enlarged or painful breasts (in both sexes), fainting, fever, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headaches, impotence, mood changes, mouth sores, nervousness, nightmares, nosebleeds, numbness in the fingers or toes, palpitations, ringing in the ears, seizures, skin rash, sleep disorders, sore throat, tremors, uncoordinated movements or balance problems, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Desipramine interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when this medicine is taken with central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications) or with other antidepressants. 2. Desipramine may decrease the effectiveness of antiseizure medications. 3. It may block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of clonidine and guanethidine. 4. Cimetidine can decrease the elimination of desipramine from the body, increasing the possibility of side effects. 5. Birth control pills or estrogen-containing drugs can increase the side effects and reduce the effectiveness of the tricyclic antidepressants (including desipramine). 6. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the side effects of thyroid medication and of over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold, allergy, asthma, sinus, and diet drugs. 7. The concurrent use of tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors should be avoided, because the combination may result in fever, convulsions, or high blood pressure. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor if you have had unusual or allergic reactions to medications, especially to desipramine or any of the other tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine, amoxapine, protriptyline, maprotiline, and nortriptyline). * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you have had asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, a heart attack, circulatory disease, stomach problems, intestinal problems, difficulty in urinating, enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, seizures, glaucoma, thyroid disease, mental illness, or electroshock therapy. * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous equipment. * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor or dentist about this drug. * Do not stop taking this drug suddenly. Abruptly stopping it can cause nausea, headache, stomach upset, fatigue, or a worsening of your condition. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually. * The effects of this medication may last as long as seven days after you have stopped taking it, so continue to observe all precautions during that period. * The tablet form of this medication contains the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type symptoms (fainting, shortness of breath, rash) in certain susceptible individuals. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Problems in humans have not been reported; however, studies in animals have shown that this medication can cause side effects in the fetus when given to the mother in large doses during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this drug can pass into breast milk, which may cause unwanted effects, such as irritability or sleeping problems, in the nursing infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.