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Tofranil Side Effects
Drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and sensitivity to the sun are side effects that have been reported in adults taking Tofranil. Side effects in children include digestive problems, constipation, and tiredness. Although side effects of Tofranil are, in most cases, minor, you should let your healthcare provider know if you or your child develops serious problems, such as fever, panic attacks, or fast heart rate.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Tofranil® (imipramine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Tofranil. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Tofranil side effects with you.)
Tofranil has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, a few of the side effects of Tofranil include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Dry mouth (see Imipramine and Dry Mouth)
- Weight gain or weight loss (see Imipramine and Weight Gain)
- Erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence) or changes in libido (see Imipramine Sexual Side Effects)
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Increased sweating.
Withdrawal side effects have been reported in people who have stopped taking Tofranil suddenly. These side effects include nausea, headache, and a general ill feeling (see Imipramine Withdrawal).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD