In this Article

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking imipramine (Tofranil)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to imipramine, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use imipramine 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. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take imipramine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking imipramine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);
• kidney or liver disease;
• overactive thyroid;
• diabetes (imipramine may raise or lower blood sugar);
• adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
• glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use imipramine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Imipramine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take imipramine (Tofranil)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking imipramine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using imipramine without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping this medication suddenly could cause you to have unpleasant side effects.

It may take up to 3 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Store imipramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.