Drug Facts
Composition & Profile
Identifiers & Packaging
HOW SUPPLIED Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 10 mg are blue, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “01”on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-315-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-315-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-315-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 25 mg are yellow, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “02” on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-316-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-316-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-316-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 50 mg are green, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “03”on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-317-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-317-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-317-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 75 mg are orange, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “566” on one side plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-318-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-318-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-318-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 100 mg are peach, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “567” on one side and plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-319-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-319-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-319-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 150 mg are white, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “568” on one side and plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-320-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-320-50 bottle of 50 tablets NDC 46708-320-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-320-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] . Dispense in a tight container. Protect from excessive heat. Rx Only Manufactured by: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Formulation Division), Village Panelav, P. O. Tajpura, Near Baska, Taluka-Halol, Panchmahal, Gujarat, India. Revised: 02/2019; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 10 mg NDC 46708-315-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 10 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 25 mg NDC 46708-316-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 25 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 50 mg NDC 46708-317-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 50 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 75 mg NDC 46708-318-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 75 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 100 mg NDC 46708-319-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 100 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets; PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 150 mg NDC 46708-320-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 150 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- HOW SUPPLIED Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 10 mg are blue, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “01”on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-315-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-315-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-315-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 25 mg are yellow, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “02” on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-316-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-316-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-316-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 50 mg are green, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “L” on one side and “03”on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-317-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-317-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-317-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 75 mg are orange, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “566” on one side plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-318-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-318-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-318-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 100 mg are peach, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “567” on one side and plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-319-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-319-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-319-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Desipramine hydrochloride tablets USP, 150 mg are white, round, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “568” on one side and plain on other side. They are supplied as follows: NDC 46708-320-30 bottle of 30 tablets NDC 46708-320-50 bottle of 50 tablets NDC 46708-320-31 bottle of 100 tablets NDC 46708-320-91 bottle of 1000 tablets Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] . Dispense in a tight container. Protect from excessive heat. Rx Only Manufactured by: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Formulation Division), Village Panelav, P. O. Tajpura, Near Baska, Taluka-Halol, Panchmahal, Gujarat, India. Revised: 02/2019
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 10 mg NDC 46708-315-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 10 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 25 mg NDC 46708-316-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 25 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 50 mg NDC 46708-317-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 50 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 75 mg NDC 46708-318-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 75 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 100 mg NDC 46708-319-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 100 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
- PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 150 mg NDC 46708-320-30 Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 150 mg PHARMACIST: Dispense the accompanying Medication Guide to each patient. Rx only 30 Tablets Alembic 30 tablets
Overview
Desipramine hydrochloride, USP is an antidepressant drug of the tricyclic type, and is chemically: 5H-Dibenz [bƒ] azepine-5-propanamine, 10, 11-dihydro-N-methyl-, monohydrochloride. Each desipramine hydrochloride tablet, USP contains 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, or 150 mg of desipramine hydrochloride, USP for oral administration. Inactive Ingredients The following inactive ingredients are contained in all dosage strengths: croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, citric acid monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol 8000 (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg) and polyethylene glycol 6000 (only 150 mg). 10 mg tablet also contains FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake and iron oxide yellow. 25 mg tablet also contains D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake. 50 mg tablet also contains FD&C Blue No.1 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake. 75 mg tablet also contains FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake. 100 mg tablet also contains FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake and FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake. desipramine-structure
Indications & Usage
Desipramine hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated for the treatment of depression.
Dosage & Administration
Not recommended for use in children (see WARNINGS). Lower dosages are recommended for elderly patients and adolescents. Lower dosages are also recommended for outpatients compared to hospitalized patients, who are closely supervised. Dosage should be initiated at a low level and increased according to clinical response and any evidence of intolerance. Following remission, maintenance medication may be required for a period of time and should be at the lowest dose that will maintain remission. Usual Adult Dose The usual adult dose is 100 mg to 200 mg per day. In more severely ill patients, dosage may be further increased gradually to 300 mg/day if necessary. Dosages above 300 mg/day are not recommended. Dosage should be initiated at a lower level and increased according to tolerance and clinical response. Treatment of patients requiring as much as 300 mg should generally be initiated in hospitals, where regular visits by the physician, skilled nursing care, and frequent electrocardiograms (ECGs) are available. The best available evidence of impending toxicity from very high doses of desipramine hydrochloride tablets are prolongation of the QRS or QT intervals on the ECG. Prolongation of the PR interval is also significant, but less closely correlated with plasma levels. Clinical symptoms of intolerance, especially drowsiness, dizziness, and postural hypotension, should also alert the physician to the need for reduction in dosage. Initial therapy may be administered in divided doses or a single daily dose. Maintenance therapy may be given on a once-daily schedule for patient convenience and compliance. Adolescent and Geriatric Dose The usual adolescent and geriatric dose is 25 mg to 100 mg daily. Dosage should be initiated at a lower level and increased according to tolerance and clinical response to a usual maximum of 100 mg daily. In more severely ill patients, dosage may be further increased to 150 mg/day. Doses above 150 mg/day are not recommended in these age groups. Initial therapy may be administered in divided doses or a single daily dose. Maintenance therapy may be given on a once-daily schedule for patient convenience and compliance. Switching a Patient To or From a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) Intended to Treat Psychiatric Disorders : At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders and initiation of therapy with desipramine hydrochloride tablets. Conversely, at least 14 days should be allowed after stopping desipramine hydrochloride tablets before starting an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). Use of Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets with Other MAOI’s Such as Linezolid or Methylene Blue: Do not start Desipramine hydrochloride tablets in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue because there is increased risk of serotonin syndrome. In a patient who requires more urgent treatment of a psychiatric condition, other interventions, including hospitalization, should be considered (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). In some cases, a patient already receiving desipramine hydrochloride tablets therapy may require urgent treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. If acceptable alternatives to linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are not available and the potential benefits of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are judged to outweigh the risks of serotonin syndrome in a particular patient, desipramine hydrochloride tablets should be stopped promptly, and linezolid or intravenous methylene blue can be administered. The patient should be monitored for symptoms of serotonin syndrome for 2 weeks or until 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, whichever comes first. Therapy with desipramine hydrochloride tablets may be resumed 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue (see WARNINGS). The risk of administering methylene blue by non-intravenous routes (such as oral tablets orby local injection) or in intravenous doses much lower than 1 mg/kg with desipramine hydrochloride tablet is unclear. The clinician should, nevertheless, be aware of the possibility of emergent symptoms of serotonin syndrome with such use (see WARNINGS).
Warnings & Precautions
WARNINGS Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. Suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide. There has been a long-standing concern, however, that antidepressants may have a role in inducing worsening of depression and the emergence of suicidality in certain patients during the early phases of treatment. Pooled analyses of short-term placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors [SSRIs] and others) showed that these drugs increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18 to 24) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with MDD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 24 short-term trials of 9 antidepressant drugs in over 4400 patients. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in adults with MDD or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 295 short-term trials (median duration of 2 months) of 11 antidepressant drugs in over 77,000 patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidality among drugs, but a tendency toward an increase in the younger patients for almost all drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidality across the different indications, with the highest incidence in MDD. The risk differences (drug vs. placebo), however, were relatively stable within age strata and across indications. These risk differences (drug-placebo difference in the number of cases of suicidality per 1000 patients treated) are provided in Table 1. Table 1 Age Range Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Cases of Suicidality per 1000 Patients Treated Increases Compared to Placebo <18 14 additional cases 18 to 24 5 additional cases Decreases Compared to Placebo 25 to 64 1 fewer case ≥65 6 fewer cases No suicides occurred in any of the pediatric trials. There were suicides in the adult trials, but the number was not sufficient to reach any conclusion about drug effect on suicide. It is unknown whether the suicidality risk extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond several months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with depression that the use of antidepressants can delay the recurrence of depression. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes, either increases or decreases. The following symptoms, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, and mania, have been reported in adult and pediatric patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either the worsening of depression and/or the emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may represent precursors to emerging suicidality. Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidality or symptoms that might be precursors to worsening depression or suicidality, especially if these symptoms are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms. Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric, should be alerted about the need to monitor patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behavior, and the other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to health care providers. Such monitoring should include daily observation by families and caregivers. Prescriptions for desipramine hydrochloride tablets should be written for the smallest quantity of tablets consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose. Screening Patients for Bipolar Disorder: A major depressive episode may be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. It is generally believed (though not established in controlled trials) that treating such an episode with an antidepressant alone may increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/manic episode in patients at risk for bipolar disorder. Whether any of the symptoms described above represent such a conversion is unknown. However, prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients with depressive symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression. It should be noted that desipramine hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in treating bipolar depression. Serotonin Syndrome: The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and SSRIs, including desipramine hydrochloride tablets, alone but particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular changes (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. The concomitant use of desipramine hydrochloride tablets with MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders is contraindicated. Desipramine hydrochloride tablets should also not be started in a patient who is being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. All reports with methylene blue that provided information on the route of administration involved intravenous administration in the dose range of 1 mg/kg to 8 mg/kg. No reports involved the administration of methylene blue by other routes (such as oral tablets or local tissue injection) or at lower doses. There may be circumstances when it is necessary to initiate treatment with an MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking desipramine hydrochloride tablets. Desipramine hydrochloride tablets should be discontinued before initiating treatment with the MAOI (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). If concomitant use of desipramine hydrochloride tablets with other serotonergic drugs including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. Treatment with desipramine hydrochloride tablets and any concomitant serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately if the above events occur and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated. Angle-Closure Glaucoma: The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs including desipramine hydrochloride tablets may trigger an angle closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy. General Extreme caution should be used when this drug is given in the following situations: a. In patients with cardiovascular disease, because of the possibility of conduction defects, arrhythmias, tachycardias, strokes, and acute myocardial infarction. b. In patients who have a family history of sudden death, cardiac dysrhythmias, or cardiac conduction disturbances. c. In patients with a history of urinary retention or glaucoma, because of the anticholinergic properties of the drug. d. In patients with thyroid disease or those taking thyroid medication, because of the possibility of cardiovascular toxicity, including arrhythmias. e. In patients with a history of seizure disorder, because this drug has been shown to lower the seizure threshold. Seizures precede cardiac dysrhythmias and death in some patients. This drug is capable of blocking the antihypertensive effect of guanethidine and similarly acting compounds. The patient should be cautioned that this drug may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. In patients who may use alcohol excessively, it should be borne in mind that the potentiation may increase the danger inherent in any suicide attempt or overdosage. Pregnancy There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants, including desipramine hydrochloride, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants Safe use of desipramine hydrochloride tablets during pregnancy and lactation has not been established; therefore, if it is to be given to pregnant patients, nursing mothers, or women of childbearing potential, the possible benefits must be weighed against the possible hazards to mother and child. Animal reproductive studies have been inconclusive. Geriatric Use Clinical studies of desipramine hydrochloride tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Lower doses are recommended for elderly patients (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). The ratio of 2-hydroxydesipramine to desipramine may be increased in the elderly, most likely due to decreased renal elimination with aging. This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. Desipramine hydrochloride tablets use in the elderly has been associated with a proneness to falling as well as confusional states (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Boxed Warning
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of desipramine hydrochloride tablets or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Desipramine hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients (see WARNINGS: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients, and PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use).
Contraindications
The use of MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with desipramine hydrochloride tablet or within 14 days of stopping treatment with desipramine hydrochloride tablet is contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. The use of desipramine hydrochloride tablet within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders is also contraindicated (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Starting desipramine hydrochloride tablets in a patient who is being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Desipramine hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in the acute recovery period following myocardial infarction. It should not be used in those who have shown prior hypersensitivity to the drug. Cross-sensitivity between this and other dibenzazepines is a possibility.
Adverse Reactions
Included in the following listing are a few adverse reactions that have not been reported with this specific drug. However, the pharmacologic similarities among the tricyclic antidepressant drugs require that each of the reactions be considered when desipramine hydrochloride tablets are given. Cardiovascular: Hypotension, hypertension, palpitations, heart block, myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmias, premature ventricular contractions, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, sudden death There has been a report of an “acute collapse” and “sudden death” in an 8-year-old (18 kg) male, treated for 2 years for hyperactivity. There have been additional reports of sudden death in children (see PRECAUTIONS-Pediatric Use). Psychiatric: Confusional states (especially in the elderly) with hallucinations, disorientation, delusions; anxiety, restlessness, agitation; insomnia and nightmares; hypomania; exacerbation of psychosis Neurologic: Numbness, tingling, paresthesias of extremities; incoordination, ataxia, tremors; peripheral neuropathy; extrapyramidal symptoms; seizures; alterations in EEG patterns; tinnitus Symptoms attributed to Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome have been reported during desipramine use with and without concomitant neuroleptic therapy. Anticholinergic: Dry mouth, and rarely associated sublingual adenitis; blurred vision, disturbance of accommodation, mydriasis, increased intraocular pressure; constipation, paralytic ileus; urinary retention, delayed micturition, dilation of urinary tract Allergic: Skin rash, petechiae, urticaria, itching, photosensitization (avoid excessive exposure to sunlight), edema (of face and tongue or general), drug fever, cross-sensitivity with other tricyclic drugs Hematologic: Bone marrow depressions including agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, purpura, thrombocytopenia Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, epigastric distress, peculiar taste, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, stomatitis, black tongue, hepatitis, jaundice (simulating obstructive), altered liver function, elevated liver function tests, increased pancreatic enzymes Endocrine: Gynecomastia in the male, breast enlargement and galactorrhea in the female; increased or decreased libido, impotence, painful ejaculation, testicular swelling; elevation or depression of blood sugar levels; syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) Other: Weight gain or loss; perspiration, flushing; urinary frequency, nocturia; parotid swelling; drowsiness, dizziness, proneness to falling, weakness and fatigue, headache; fever; alopecia; elevated alkaline phosphatase Withdrawal Symptoms: Though not indicative of addiction, abrupt cessation of treatment after prolonged therapy may produce nausea, headache, and malaise.
Drug Interactions
Drugs Metabolized by P450 2D6. The biochemical activity of the drug metabolizing isozyme cytochrome P450 2D6 (debrisoquin hydroxylase) is reduced in a subset of the Caucasian population (about 7% to 10% of Caucasians are so called “poor metabolizers”); reliable estimates of the prevalence of reduced P450 2D6 isozyme activity among Asian, African and other populations are not yet available. Poor metabolizers have higher than expected plasma concentrations of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) when given usual doses. Depending on the fraction of drug metabolized by P450 2D6, the increase in plasma concentration may be small, or quite large (8 fold increase in plasma AUC of the TCA). In addition, certain drugs inhibit the activity of this isozyme and make normal metabolizers resemble poor metabolizers. An individual who is stable on a given dose of TCA may become abruptly toxic when given one of these inhibiting drugs as concomitant therapy. The drugs that inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 include some that are not metabolized by the enzyme (quinidine; cimetidine) and many that are substrates for P450 2D6 (many other antidepressants, phenothiazines, and the Type IC antiarrhythmics propafenone and flecainide). While all the SSRIs, e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, inhibit P450 2D6, they may vary in the extent of inhibition. The extent to which SSRI TCA interactions may pose clinical problems will depend on the degree of inhibition and the pharmacokinetics of the SSRI involved. Nevertheless, caution is indicated in the co-administration of TCAs with any of the SSRIs and also in switching from one class to the other. Of particular importance, sufficient time must elapse before initiating TCA treatment in a patient being withdrawn from fluoxetine, given the long half-life of the parent and active metabolite (at least 5 weeks may be necessary). Concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants with drugs that can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 may require lower doses than usually prescribed for either the tricyclic antidepressant or the other drug. Furthermore, whenever one of these other drugs is withdrawn from co-therapy, an increased dose of tricyclic antidepressant may be required. It is desirable to monitor TCA plasma levels whenever a TCA is going to be co-administered with another drug known to be an inhibitor of P450 2D6. Close supervision and careful adjustment of dosage are required when this drug is given concomitantly with anticholinergic or sympathomimetic drugs. Patients should be warned that while taking this drug their response to alcoholic beverages may be exaggerated. If desipramine hydrochloride tablets are to be combined with other psychotropic agents such as tranquilizers or sedative/hypnotics, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed since the sedative effects of desipramine hydrochloride tablets and benzodiazepines (e.g., chlordiazepoxide or diazepam) are additive. Both the sedative and anticholinergic effects of the major tranquilizers are also additive to those of desipramine hydrochloride tablets. Concomitant use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and serotonergic drugs may potentially cause life threatening adverse events (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
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