Brand Names: Norpramin

Generic Name: desipramine (Pronunciation: des IP ra meen)

• What is desipramine (Norpramin)?
• What are the possible side effects of desipramine (Norpramin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about desipramine (Norpramin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desipramine (Norpramin)?
• How should I take desipramine (Norpramin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Norpramin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Norpramin)?
• What should I avoid while taking desipramine (Norpramin)?
• What other drugs will affect desipramine (Norpramin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is desipramine (Norpramin)?

Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Desipramine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Desipramine is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Desipramine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Desipramine 10 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 63

Desipramine 100 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 167

Desipramine 150 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 168

Desipramine 25 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 64

Desipramine 50 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 65

Desipramine 75 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 166

Norpramin 10 mg

round, blue, imprinted with 68-7

What are the possible side effects of desipramine (Norpramin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
• seizure (convulsions);
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• tremors, restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness;
• skin rash, severe tingling or numbness, pain and muscle weakness; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• vomiting, constipation;
• dry mouth, unpleasant taste;
• weakness, lack of coordination;
• feeling anxious, restless, dizzy, or drowsy;
• sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
• blurred vision, trouble concentrating, headache, ringing in your ears;
• breast swelling (in men or women); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Norpramin (desipramine hydrochloride) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about desipramine (Norpramin)?

Do not use this medication if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.