imipramine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake.
Licensed uses
Symptoms of depressive illness and nocturnal enuresis in children.
Form
Clear, colourless, banana-flavoured oral solution.
Alertness
Drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision can affect driving and machinery use; alcohol may worsen these effects.
What is imipramine hydrochloride used for?
The selected oral solution is licensed for:
Symptoms of depressive illness.
Night-time bed-wetting in children who are old enough for treatment under the product licence.
How does imipramine hydrochloride work?
Imipramine reduces neuronal reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin, increasing their activity in the nervous system. Its anticholinergic, antihistamine and alpha-blocking actions help explain effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness and postural dizziness.
imipramine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg/5 mL
How to take imipramine hydrochloride
Take the oral solution exactly as prescribed. Food does not materially affect absorption. Do not stop it suddenly unless urgent medical care directs otherwise, because withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Keep the bottle tightly closed and do not store it above 25°C.
Do not drive or use machinery if you feel sleepy or dizzy or have blurred vision.
Check with a pharmacist before using other medicines, including non-prescription products.
imipramine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Sweating or flushing
- Tremor
- Weight gain
- Fast heartbeat
- Light-headedness when standing
Get urgent medical advice
- Suicidal thoughts or marked worsening of mood
- Seizure, severe confusion, delirium or hallucinations
- Fainting, irregular heartbeat or severe postural symptoms
- Facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction
- Fever or sore throat that may indicate a blood disorder
- Yellow skin or eyes suggesting liver injury
- Painful eye symptoms or sudden visual deterioration suggesting glaucoma
- Inability to pass urine
- Possible serotonin syndrome: agitation, sweating, fever and muscle stiffness or twitching
imipramine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Tricyclic antidepressants can be used in pregnancy when recommended by a doctor and are not known to harm the baby. Product information advises use only when anticipated benefit justifies potential risk. Exposure near delivery may cause temporary neonatal symptoms. Review treatment and pregnancy plans without stopping imipramine abruptly.
imipramine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Very small amounts reach breast milk. NHS SPS considers imipramine a preferred tricyclic antidepressant for a full-term, healthy infant when clinically appropriate. Monitor for unusual drowsiness, poor feeding, inadequate weight gain, irritability, constipation or reduced wet nappies. Seek specialist advice for premature or unwell infants, multiple medicines or concerns about the oral solution's propylene glycol content.
imipramine hydrochloride interactions
Imipramine has clinically important interactions. Check all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including moclobemide
The combination is contraindicated because severe hypertension, high temperature, agitation, seizures, delirium or coma may occur; formal switching precautions are required.
SSRIs and other serotonergic medicines
Serotonergic effects may add together, and some SSRIs can raise imipramine exposure and seizure risk.
Buprenorphine, tramadol and other opioids
There may be increased sedation, seizures or potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
Common questions about imipramine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is imipramine hydrochloride used for?
The selected UK oral solution is licensed for symptoms of depressive illness and night-time bed-wetting in children.
How long does imipramine hydrochloride take to work for depression?
Improvement may not be apparent for several weeks, so mood and safety require monitoring during early treatment.
Can imipramine hydrochloride make you sleepy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.