Imipramine belongs to a class of medication called tricyclic antidepressants, and it is used to treat major depression and childhood enuresis.
Imipramine can be taken orally as tablets.
For major depression, the usual initial dose for outpatients (people who are not hospitalized) is 75 mg/day. You may increase the dose gradually based on response and tolerability up to 200 mg/day. The usual maintenance dose is 50-150 mg/day. Imipramine may be given in divided doses or as a single bedtime dose.
The usual initial dose for hospitalized patients is 100 mg/day, which can be titrated up to 200-300 mg/day.
The usual initial dose for adolescent and geriatric patients is 10-40 mg/day, with a maximum daily dose of 100 mg/day in single or divided doses.
For childhood enuresis, the usual dose for children ≥ 6 years is 10-25 mg/day given one hour before bedtime. The dose may be increased to 50 mg in children < 12 years, or 75 mg in children > 12 years. For early night bedwetters, Imipramine has been shown to be more effective if given earlier and in divided amounts.
Common side effects of Imipramine include nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain, fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, and constipation.
Common dosing schedule:
Imipramine can be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal disturbance.
For treatment of enuresis, administer the dose 1 hour before bedtime. For early night bedwetters, drug has been shown to be more effective if given earlier and in divided amounts (e.g, 25 mg in midafternoon and repeated at bedtime).
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Imipramine may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Imipramine is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Imipramine in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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