Sometimes, our feelings of sadness, anxiety, and helplessness become so intense that we can't even do our daily tasks. At such times, when you see a doctor, he or she can diagnose you with depression and prescribe treatment. Desipramine is a medication that is often used to treat depression. So if you or someone close to you has been prescribed this medication, it's important to be aware of it.
What is Desipramine?
Simply put, Desipramine is a medication used to treat depression. Our brains naturally produce chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Serotonin and Norepinephrine are two of the main chemicals that control our mood, which means we feel happy, calm, and energetic.
Depression is caused by an imbalance of these chemicals. Desipramine works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, helping to restore their function. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting Desipramine, it is essential to give your doctor a complete picture of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform your doctor.
| Condition or habit | Why do you need to tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| If you have heart disease or a previous heart attack | This medicine can sometimes affect heart rate. |
| Suicidal thoughts, past attempts, or a family history of suicide | Antidepressant medications, especially in the early stages, can increase these thoughts in some people, so close attention is needed. |
| Other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia | This medicine may change or worsen those symptoms. |
| Liver disease | This medicine is removed from the body by the liver. If the liver function is poor, the medicine can accumulate in the body. |
| Glaucoma condition | This medicine may increase eye pressure. |
| Difficulty urinating, prostate problems | Medication can make this condition worse. |
| Epilepsy or seizures (Seizures) | This medicine may slightly increase the risk of seizures. |
| A drinking problem | Combining alcohol and this medication may increase drowsiness and other side effects. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | You should discuss with your doctor whether the medication may affect the child. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, and dyes | To find out if you are allergic to desipramine or any of its ingredients. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
It is very important to take the correct dosage at the correct time, exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not take more medicine than prescribed.
- The most important thing is not to stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. If you do, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and headache. Or your condition may get worse. If you do stop, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dose.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect you have taken more medicine than you think, don't take it lightly. Go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other medications that may interact with Desipramine
Desipramine can interact with many other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, traditional medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
Below are just a few examples.
- It is very dangerous to take Desipramine with other antidepressants such as MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Marplan).
- Medicines for mental illness such as phenothiazines (e.g. perphenazine, chlorpromazine).
- Some medications for heart disease.
- Some antibiotics, such as Linezolid.
- It can also react with the ingredients in some over-the-counter medications for colds, coughs, and allergies.
Therefore, always ask your doctor before starting any new medication.
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
- Be aware of your thoughts: In the first few weeks of starting antidepressant medication, or when changing the dosage, some people may experience suicidal thoughts, anxiety, restlessness, and unusual impulsivity. If you or your family notice any of these changes, talk to your doctor right away.Don't be afraid of this, but it's important to be aware.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, working at heights, or operating machinery that requires alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, stand up straight when getting up from a sitting position or getting out of bed.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking desipramine. Alcohol can greatly increase the side effects of the drug, especially drowsiness.
- Dry mouth: This is a common side effect. You can manage this by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and sipping water throughout the day.
- Constipation: This medicine may cause constipation. It is important to eat more fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables) and drink plenty of water. If you do not have a bowel movement for more than 2-3 days, tell your doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin may be more sensitive to sunlight while taking this medication. Therefore, use sunscreen and wear clothing that covers your body when going out in the sun.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Desipramine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The table below explains this more clearly.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Restlessness, muscle stiffness or tremors, excessive sweating, high fever, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea. This is a very dangerous condition. |
| Severe mood swings | Suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression, aggression. |
| Other serious symptoms | Seizures, sudden eye pain, blurred vision, inability to urinate. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, tremors. |
| Other | Changes in sexual desire or function. |
Take-Home Message
- Desipramine is a medication for depression. It can take several weeks to fully benefit from this medication. So, be patient and take the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not stop taking the medication or change the dosage for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
- Be especially aware of your thoughts and feelings when you first start taking this medicine. If you notice any unusual changes, especially thoughts of suicide, tell your doctor right away.
- If you take too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Center .
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Desipramine / Norpramin tablets are prescribed for what disease?
This is one of the oldest and most powerful (TCA - Tricyclic Antidepressant) psychiatric drugs that can be used to treat severe 'Depression and Anxiety'! This is a little different from other TCA drugs (like Amitriptyline). While the others make the patient sleepy/sleepy, this pill gives the patient a 'Stimulating effect' and keeps him active throughout the day.
💬 How does this drug (Desipramine) provide the patient with happiness and energy at the same time?
Depression is caused by a decrease in the brain's happy chemicals (Norepinephrine, Serotonin). What this medicine basically does (rather than increasing Serotonin) is to increase the brain's concentration of a chemical called 'Norepinephrine' by 100%, which eliminates boredom and gives the brain energy and the ability to focus on one thing. That is why doctors recommend this to patients who are very lazy and cannot get out of bed.
💬 What are the main side effects and most dangerous dangers of this?
There are many dangers! (Anti-cholinergic effects). This can cause dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and dizziness/lightheadedness when getting out of bed. The other most dangerous danger is that it has a major impact on the heart! There is a high risk of the patient's heart rhythm changing and causing an abnormal/fast heartbeat (Arrhythmia/Tachycardia), which can be fatal.
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