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Desipramine

Desipramine is a type of tricyclic antidepressant that is licensed to treat depression in adults. By affecting certain chemicals in the brain (serotonin and norepinephrine), the medication can help reduce depression symptoms. Desipramine comes in tablet form and is available in a number of strengths. The drug is generally taken one to four times a day. Desipramine side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.

 

What Is Desipramine?

Desipramine hydrochloride (Norpramin®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).
 
(Click What Is Desipramine Used For? for more information on desipramine uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

What Makes Desipramine?

Desipramine is made by Sanofi-Aventis. Generic desipramine is made by several manufacturers of generic medications.
 

How Does Desipramine Work?

Desipramine belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It is not entirely clear how desipramine works. However, it is known that desipramine affects several chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. It is thought that perhaps desipramine allows these chemical to stay in the brain longer, which can help with depression symptoms.
 

When and How to Take Desipramine

Some considerations for when and how to take desipramine include:
 
  • Desipramine comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth one to four times daily.
     
  • It does not matter if you take desipramine with or without food. If desipramine upsets your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Desipramine should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain even levels of the medication in your blood.
     
  • For desipramine to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medicine will not work if you stop taking it.
     
(Desipramine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;