Trimipramine (By mouth)

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Treats depression. This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).

Drug classes

Antidepressant (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Trimipramine is used to treat depression. It belongs to the group of medicines known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Capsule, Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Your doctor may tell you to take this medicine at bedtime, because it can make you sleepy.

You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

Some medicines can affect how trimipramine works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:

Atropine, buspirone, cimetidine, fentanyl, guanethidine, lithium, tramadol, St John’s wort Thyroid medicine, tryptophan supplements, triptan medicine for migraine medicines, medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine), other medicine to treat depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine)

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to trimipramine or similar medicines, or you recently had a heart attack.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, schizophrenia, thyroid problems, or a history of mania, seizures, or trouble urinating.

For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Serotonin syndrome (more likely when used with certain other medicines) Changes in blood sugar levels

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Agitation, restlessness, mood or mental changes, trouble sleeping

Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

Chest pain, trouble breathing

Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Seizures

Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Drowsiness or dizziness

Dry mouth

Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Surmontil

There may be other brand names for this medicine.