Why is Tofranil prescribed?

Tofranil is used to treat depression. It is a member of the family of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.

Tofranil is also used on a short-term basis, along with behavioral therapies, to treat bed-wetting in children aged 6 and older. Its effectiveness may decrease with longer use.

Some doctors also prescribe Tofranil to treat bulimia, attention deficit disorder in children, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

Tofranil-PM, which is usually taken once daily at bedtime, is approved to treat major depression.

What are Imipramine (Tofranil) tablets?

Imipramine (Tofranil) side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or if you feel impulsive, trouble sleeping, panic attacks, anxiety.

• skin rash, pain, numbness, severe tingling, bruising, or muscle weakness.
• extreme thirst with headache, vomiting, nausea, and weakness;
• urinating more or less than usual;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, jaw, tongue, or neck;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• confusion, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions);
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• sudden headache, speech, problems with vision, confusion, or balance;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
• breast swelling (in men or women); or
• blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;
• nightmares;
• feeling dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
• weakness, lack of coordination;
• weight changes;
• dry mouth, unpleasant taste;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

• other tricyclic antidepressants.
  
  
• SNRI antidepressants, eg duloxetine, venlafaxine
  
  
• SSRI antidepressants, eg fluoxetine, paroxetine
  
  
• sibutramine
  
  
• selegiline
  
  
• rasagiline
  
  
• lithium
  
  

• antisickness medicines, eg meclozine, cyclizine.
  
  
• muscle relaxants, eg baclofen
  
  
• certain other antidepressants
  
  
• antiarrhythmics, eg disopyramide, propafenone
  
  
• antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine (some antipsychotics may also increase the blood level of Imipramine (Tofranil))
  
  
• antispasmodics, eg hyoscine, atropine
  
  
• antihistamines, eg promethazine, chlorphenamine
  
  
• anticholinergics for Parkinson's disease, eg procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl
  
  
• anticholinergics for urinary incontinence, eg tolterodine, oxybutynin
  
  

• pentamidine.
  
  
• moxifloxacin
  
  
• the antimalarials halofantrine, chloroquine or quinine
  
  
• the antihistamines astemizole, terfenadine or mizolastine
  
  
• certain antipsychotics, eg thioridazine, haloperidol, pimozide
  
  
• medicines to treat abnormal heart rhythms, eg amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, disopyramide, sotalol
  
  
• atomoxetine
  
  

• strong opioid painkillers, such as morphine, codeine.
  
  
• sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone
  
  
• benzodiazepines, eg diazepam, temazepam
  
  
• sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine
  
  

• terbinafine.
  
  
• SSRI antidepressants such as fluvoxamine and fluoxetine
  
  
• ritonavir
  
  
• quinidine
  
  
• propranolol
  
  
• oestrogen-containing contraceptives (these may also decrease the antidepressant effect of Imipramine (Tofranil))
  
  
• methylphenidate
  
  
• labetolol
  
  
• disulfiram
  
  
• cimetidine
  
  
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem or verapamil
  
  

• rifampicin.
  
  
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
  
  

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Tofranil during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. Pregnant women should use Tofranil only when the potential benefits clearly outweigh the potential risks. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Tofranil may appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.