imipramine

Expert Advice

Indication:

This medication is used to depression, nocturnal enuresis (urination while asleep) in children

Contraindication:

This medication is contraindicated in patients with recent MI (heart attack), heart block, arrhythmias (An abnormal heart rhythm), mania (a  state of heightened overall activation with enhanced affective expression together with lability of affect), severe hepatic (liver) impairment, glaucoma (eye conditions that damage the optic nerve), urinary retention, porphyria (a group of disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in your body. Porphyrins are essential for the function of hemoglobin)

Side effects:

The patients taking this medication may experience anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision), tinnitus (humming sound heard in ear, a symptom of hearing loss), confusion, drowsiness, headache, tremor, ataxia (trouble with balance that is not caused by a person's muscles being weak), seizure, movement disorders, dyskinesia (abnormal, uncontrollable, involuntary movements). Cardiovascular effect; hypotension (decrease in blood pressure), tachycardia (increased heart beat), syncope (faint), conduction disturbances, arrhythmias. GI upset, taste disturbance. Hepatic (liver) impairment, jaundice , libido (loss of sex drive), impotence (unable to achieve an erection, maintain an erection, or ejaculate on a consistent basis)

Precautions:

The patients taking this medication must be cautious in cases of hepatic (liver) impairment, history of epilepsy (Episodes of abnormal electrical activity within the brain result in seizures), urinary retention, prostatic hypertrophy (noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland), pheychromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, psychosis, constipation, anesthesia, cardiac function

Interaction:

This medication may interact with anti-depressants, drugs that prolong QT interval, anticoagulant, cimetidine, sotalol, throid hormone, carbamazepine, diuretics, phenytoin

Pregnancy:

This medication has positive evidence of risk regarding pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider for further details

Lactation:

This medication is contraindicated in nursing females