Desipramine is a prescription drug that is commonly used for the treatment of depression in adults. This eMedTV page describes desipramine in more detail, including an explanation of how it works and a list of potential side effects that may occur.
Common desipramine side effects may include confusion, nausea, or shakiness. This eMedTV Web page also lists serious problems that should be reported to your healthcare provider, such as seizures, arrhythmias, or hallucinations.
What is desipramine used for? As this eMedTV page explains, desipramine is used for treating depression in adults. The medication is also occasionally used "off-label" for the treatment of bulimia, ADHD, and anxiety disorder, among other conditions.
This eMedTV page explains that for most people, desipramine dosing starts at 100 mg to 200 mg daily. This resource also discusses desipramine dosing for children and elderly people, and provides suggestions about when and how to take the medication.
MAOIs and SSRI antidepressants are among the drugs that can potentially interact with desipramine. This eMedTV Web page describes how drug interactions with desipramine can alter the levels of desipramine in the blood or cause increased side effects.
Desipramine can worsen schizophrenia in some people. This eMedTV Web page lists other precautions and warnings with desipramine, including existing medical conditions that you should tell your doctor about before taking the drug (such as glaucoma).
Weight gain is a possible side effects of desipramine. This eMedTV Web page explains that if you're taking desipramine and weight gain occurs, you should tell your doctor. He or she may recommend lifestyle changes or prescribe another antidepressant.
It is possible to develop sexual side effects while taking desipramine. This eMedTV Web page lists some of these side effects -- such as impotence and painful ejaculation -- and discusses what to do if desipramine sexual side effects occur.
If you are taking desipramine and dry mouth occurs, you can try sipping water or sugarless drinks often. This eMedTV Web page discusses desipramine and dry mouth in more detail and offers other tips for helping with a dry mouth.
If you are taking desipramine and pregnancy occurs, let your doctor know. As this eMedTV page explains, there have been some reports of desipramine withdrawal effects (such as a fast heart rate) in newborns exposed to the drug during pregnancy.
Taking desipramine while breastfeeding could possibly harm the nursing baby. This eMedTV resource discusses desipramine and breastfeeding in more detail and explains the importance of talking to your doctor about nursing while on the drug.
If you take too much desipramine, overdose effects may include vomiting, drowsiness, or agitation. This eMedTV Web page lists other possible effects of a desipramine overdose and describes treatments that are available (such as pumping the stomach).
There may be an increased risk of suicidal behavior during treatment with desipramine. This eMedTV Web page further discusses desipramine and suicide, and explains who may be at a higher risk of suicidal behavior while taking the antidepressant.
Symptoms of withdrawal from desipramine can include nausea, headaches, and malaise. This page on the eMedTV site lists other possible withdrawal symptoms and describes what steps your doctor may take to help keep them from occurring.
There are many alternatives to desipramine, including psychotherapy and other medications. This eMedTV page describes desipramine alternatives in more detail, including some other drugs commonly used to treat depression (like SSRIs and SNRIs).
