1. Understanding Depression Slideshow
2. Take the Depression Quiz
3. Benefits of Depression Treatment

What happens if I miss a dose (Norpramin)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Norpramin)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of desipramine can be fatal. Symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, vomiting, blurred vision, confusion, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, feeling hot or cold, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking desipramine (Norpramin)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause dangerous side effects when taken together with desipramine.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with desipramine. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor before increasing or decreasing the amount of grapefruit products in your diet.

Desipramine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Desipramine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

What other drugs will affect desipramine (Norpramin)?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by desipramine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other antidepressants.

Before taking desipramine, tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• cimetidine (Tagamet); or
• heart rhythm medications such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rhythmol), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute).

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with desipramine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about desipramine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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