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Desipramine Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Desipramine HCl 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg; tabs.
Pharmacological Class
Tricyclic.
How Supplied
Contact supplier
Manufacturer
Mechanism of Action
Desipramine HCl is a tricyclic antidepressant. The precise mechanism of action of the tricyclic antidepressants is unknown but it is suggested that they restore normal levels of neurotransmitters by blocking the re-uptake of these substances from the synapse in the central nervous system. Evidence indicates that the secondary amine tricyclic antidepressants, including desipramine HCl, may have greater activity in blocking the re-uptake of norepinephrine.
Desipramine Indications
Indications
Depression.
Desipramine Dosage and Administration
Adult
100–200mg daily in single or divided doses; max 300mg/day. Hospitalize initially if dose is 300mg/day; monitor ECG. Elderly and adolescents: 25–100mg daily in single or divided doses; max 150mg/day.
Children
Not recommended.
Desipramine Contraindications
Contraindications
During or within 14 days of MAOIs. Concomitant linezolid or IV methylene blue. Acute post-MI.
Desipramine Boxed Warnings
Boxed Warning
Suicidality and antidepressant drugs.
Desipramine Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults; monitor for clinical worsening and unusual changes. Monitor for emergence of serotonin syndrome; discontinue if occurs. Screen for bipolar disorder. Psychosis. Mania/hypomania. Cardiovascular disease. Family history of sudden death, cardiac dysrhythmias or conduction disturbances. Urinary retention. Angle-closure glaucoma. Epilepsy. ECT. Hyperthyroidism. Diabetes. Hepatic or renal dysfunction. Perform leukocyte and differential counts if fever and sore throat develop; discontinue if neutrophil depression occurs. Discontinue before surgery. Write ℞ for smallest practical amount. Elderly. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.
Desipramine Pharmacokinetics
Elimination
Renal (70%). Half-life: 7–60 hours.
Desipramine Interactions
Interactions
See Contraindications. Increased risk of serotonin syndrome with other serotonergic drugs (eg, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John's Wort) or with drugs that impair serotonin metabolism (eg, MAOIs, linezolid, IV methylene blue). Potentiates alcohol, anticholinergics, sympathomimetics, benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants. Potentiated by CYP2D6 inhibitors; monitor plasma levels with cimetidine, SSRIs, phenothiazines, type 1C antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, propafenone, flecainide). Antagonized by barbiturates, carbamazepine. Paralytic ileus, hyperpyrexia with anticholinergics. Blocks guanethidine. Possible cardiotoxicity with concomitant thyroid medications.
Desipramine Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Drowsiness, anticholinergic effects, arrhythmias, extrapyramidal symptoms, hypo- or hypertension, nausea, fatigue, rash, hyperhidrosis, headache, changes in blood sugar, photosensitivity, edema, blood dyscrasias, jaundice.
Desipramine Clinical Trials
See Literature
Desipramine Note
Notes
Formerly known under the brand name Norpramin.
Desipramine Patient Counseling
See Literature
