Norpramin
Desipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you have been taking this medicine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or you may get severe side effects. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice. Even after you stop taking this medicine it can still affect your body for several days. Read More ›
Norpramin can be used to treat the following conditions:
- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- bulimia nervosa
- depression
- diabetic neuropathy
- neuropathic pain
- panic disorder
- postherpetic neuralgia
- social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
abnormal production of milk in females
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breast enlargement in both males and females
breathing problems
confusion, hallucinations
fast, irregular heartbeat
fever with increased sweating
muscle stiffness, or spasms
pain or difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder control
seizures
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
swelling of the testicles
tingling, pain, or numbness in the feet or hands
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications
amoxapine
arsenic trioxide
certain heart medicines
cisapride
halofantrine
levomethadyl
linezolid
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
methylene blue
other medicines for mental depression
phenothiazines like perphenazine, thioridazine and chlorpromazine
pimozide
probucol
procarbazine
sparfloxacin
St. John's Wort
ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
atropine and related drugs like hyoscyamine, scopolamine, tolterodine and others
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures like phenobarbital
cimetidine
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems
medicines for colds, flu and breathing difficulties, like pseudoephedrine
seizure or epilepsy medicine like phenytoin
thyroid hormones
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from heat. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an alcohol problem
asthma, difficulty breathing
bipolar disease or schizophrenia
difficulty passing urine, prostate trouble
glaucoma
heart disease or previous heart attack
over active thyroid
seizures
thoughts or plans of suicide, previous suicide attempt, or family history of suicide attempt
an unusual or allergic reaction to desipramine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take several days before you feel the full effect of this medicine.
Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar more often than usual, especially during the first few weeks of treatment with this medicine. This medicine can affect blood sugar levels. Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you notice a change in the results of blood or urine glucose tests.
Who should not take Norpramin?
Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
abrupt discontinuation, acute myocardial infarction, agranulocytosis, alcoholism, anticholinergic medications, asthma, AV block, bipolar disorder, breast-feeding, bundle-branch block, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac disease, children, closed-angle glaucoma, congenital heart disease, contact lenses, diabetes mellitus, driving or operating machinery, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), geriatric, GI disease, hematological disease, hepatic disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, ileus, infertility, mania, MAOI therapy, Parkinson's disease, pregnancy, prostatic hypertrophy, QT prolongation, radiographic contrast administration, respiratory depression, seizure disorder, seizures, suicidal ideation, sunlight (UV) exposure, surgery, thrombocytopenia, tobacco smoking, urinary retention
Copyright: © 2000-2010 The StayWell Company, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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