Tofranil

The active ingredient in Tofranil is imipramine hydrochloride, which is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Its specific mechanism of action is unknown. Imipramine is supposed to treat depression by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine chemicals in the brain, which are important in mood regulation. It may also help your bladder hold more urine to help treat bedwetting.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Tofranil. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Tofranil:

• Tofranil is typically taken once a day, with or without food. If it causes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, take it with food.
• Inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or worsen.
• You should not stop using Tofranil abruptly. Follow your doctor's recommendations for tapering your dosage.

The most common side effects of imipramine include:

• Dry mouth.
• Blurred vision.
• Drowsiness.
• Constipation.
• Weight gain or weight loss.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Sudden eye pain.
• Sore throat.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Trouble sleeping or restlessness.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Tofranil. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
• Increased risk of a heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain, cold chills, left arm pain, and difficulty breathing.
• A stroke can cause sudden numbness, paralysis, confusion, and difficulty speaking.
• Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions include trouble breathing, hives, itching, a fast heartbeat, throat tightness, disorientation, and swelling of the face or tongue.
• Increased risk of seizures.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Tofranil. You should always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice about your condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Tofranil, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Recent heart attack.
• Heart disease, stroke, or epilepsy.
• High blood pressure.
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia, or another mental health condition.
• Kidney or liver disease.
• A hyperactive thyroid.
• Narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Urinary issues.
• An allergy to other antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxepine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, or protriptyline).
• Tofranil should not be used if you have taken an MAO inhibitor during the last 14 days. A hazardous medication interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine, among others.
• Tell your doctor if you've used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the last 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.
• Tofranil can cause you to burn more readily. When you are outside, use protective gear and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Boxed Warning

Short-term studies found that children, adolescents, and young adults (<24 years) taking antidepressants for major depressive disorders and other psychiatric conditions were more likely to engage in suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

• Currently using or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days.
• A recent heart attack.
• Allergy to imipramine or any inactive ingredients in the product.

After roughly 1 to 3 weeks of using imipramine, you may notice that your depression symptoms improve. However, keep in mind that antidepressants, including imipramine, typically require 1 to 2 months of medication to achieve their full effects.

When Tofranil is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Cimetidine.
• St. John’s Wort.
• Clonidine.
• Methylphenidate.
• Phenytoin.
• Other medications that increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Anticholinergics.

The complete daily dose is either divided into multiple smaller doses during the day or taken in one dose before bedtime. Your dosage will be adjusted based on how well it relieves your symptoms and whether you have any negative effects.

Imipramine hydrochloride tablets:

Depression affects adults aged 18–64 years. The typical starting dose is 75 mg to 100 mg taken orally daily.

Adolescents and adults aged 65 and up: The typical starting dose is 30 mg to 40 mg by mouth daily. Doses greater than 100 mg per day are probably unnecessary.

Bedwetting at night:

Children aged six years and older: The typical starting dose is 25 mg taken orally one hour before bedtime. Your doctor may increase the amount to up to 75 mg, depending on your child's age and how well the drug works for them.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Mallinckrodt Inc. is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Tofranil.

There are several lower-cost generics available of Tofranil.

It is not recommended that you discontinue Tofranil without being progressively weaned off of it. It is usually preferable to undergo a medically monitored drug detox in a drug rehabilitation program. Withdrawal symptoms should be monitored and might be exceedingly painful.

The use of Tofranil during pregnancy can cause temporary withdrawal symptoms in newborns soon after birth. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Do not take Tofranil while nursing, as it may enter breast milk. Inform your healthcare professional if you are nursing or want to breastfeed.