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- $Unique_ID{BRK03372}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{trimipramine}
- $Subject{Surmontil Wyeth-Ayerst Tricyclic antidepressant trimipramine mental
- depression chemicals nerve transmission brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- trimipramine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Surmontil (Wyeth-Ayerst)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Tricyclic antidepressant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- trimipramine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Capsules (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- Trimipramine 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 medication should be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes. You
- can take it with water or with food to lessen the chance of stomach
- irritation, unless your doctor tells you to do otherwise.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, then return to your regular dosing schedule. However, if 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 unwanted side effects. Never double the dose.
- The effects of therapy with this medication may not become apparent for
- at least two or three 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 drug may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged
- exposure to sunlight and sunlamps, wear protective clothing and sunglasses,
- and use an effective sunscreen.
- 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, hair loss, hallucinations, headaches,
- impotence, mood changes, mouth sores, nervousness, nightmares, numbness or
- tingling in the fingers or toes, palpitations, rapid weight gain or loss
- (three to five pounds within a week), 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
-
- Trimipramine interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when it is taken with central nervous
- system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain and spinal
- cord), including alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine
- tranquilizers, and sleeping medications, or with other tricyclic
- antidepressants.
- 2. Trimipramine may decrease the effectiveness of antiseizure medications
- and may block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of clonidine and
- guanethidine.
- 3. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and estrogen-containing
- drugs can increase the side effects and reduce the effectiveness of the
- tricyclic antidepressants (including trimipramine).
- 4. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the side effects of thyroid
- medication and over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold, allergy,
- asthma, sinus, and diet medications.
- 5. 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 a MAO inhibitor.
- Before starting to take trimipramine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
- above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor if you have had unusual or allergic reactions to any
- medications, especially to trimipramine or other tricyclic antidepressants
- (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, amoxapine, protriptyline,
- desipramine, maprotiline, and nortriptyline).
- * Tell your doctor if you have a history of asthma, high blood pressure,
- liver or kidney disease, heart disease, heart attack, circulatory disease,
- stomach problems, intestinal problems, alcoholism, difficulty in urinating,
- enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, glaucoma, thyroid disease, or mental
- illness or have ever received electroshock therapy.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Do not stop taking this drug suddenly. Stopping it abruptly can cause
- nausea, headache, stomach upset, fatigue, or a worsening of your condition.
- * 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.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The use of this
- medication in human pregnancy has not been established. Also, tell your
- doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this drug can
- pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects, such as irritability or
- sleeping problems, in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-