Desipramine (also known as desmethylimipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and to a minor extent serotonin. It is used to treat depression, but not considered a first line treatment since the introduction of SSRI antidepressants. Desipramine is an active metabolite of imipramine. It is sold under the brand names Norpramin, and Pertofrane.
Medical uses
It is primarily used for the treatment of depression. It may also be useful to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Evidence of benefit is only in the short term and with concerns of side effects its overall usefulness is not clear.
It has also been tried, albeit with little evidence of efficacy, in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Evidence for usefulness in neuropathic pain is also poor.
Adverse effects
It tends to be less sedating than other TCAs and tends to produce fewer anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, memory impairment and constipation.
Genotoxicity
Desipramine has been shown to be genotoxic in fruit flies and associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women.
Overdose
Desipramine is particularly toxic in cases of overdose, compared to other antidepressants. Any overdose or suspected overdose of desipramine is considered to be a medical emergency and can result in death without prompt medical intervention. If an overdose is confirmed or suspected the local poison control should be contacted (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.; 111 in the UK) immediately, and the victim should be taken to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. The victim should not attempt to transport themselves to a medical facility, if no other person is available to transport the victim 911 (in the U.S. and Canada; 999 in the UK) should be called to arrange for an ambulance to take the victim to the closest emergency room for overdose management as quickly as possible. Do not wait until overdose symptoms have presented, regardless of whether or not the overdose is confirmed, as symptoms can escalate quickly after they appear and at this point it may not be possible to reach a medical facility in time to prevent death.
References
External links
- Desipramine - medlineplus.org