Side Effects of Imipramine

Side Effects of Imipramine
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Imipramine is a prescription medication used to treat recurrent bedwetting in children or depression symptoms in affected patients. This medication is a tricyclic antidepressant that helps manage depression symptoms by increasing mood-balancing chemicals within the brain. Imipramine is administered orally and should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Before beginning to use this medication, patients should review the side effects of imipramine with a doctor.

Dizziness, Headache, Weakness or Fainting

Use of imipramine can decrease a patient's normal blood pressure. Unusually low blood pressure can cause side effects that include dizziness, headache, weakness or fainting, warns Drugs.com. These side effects of imipramine may be most apparent when a patient attempts to sit up or stand up quickly. Persistent or severe dizziness or recurrent fainting should be discussed with a medical professional as soon as possible.

Upset Stomach

Children and adults who take imipramine can develop upset stomach side effect after treatment. Affected patients can experience nausea, vomiting or intestinal complications during treatment with this antidepressant, explains PDRHealth. Certain adult patients can also develop dry mouth or diarrhea, which can exacerbate upset stomach symptoms. Treated patients can limit the severity of upset stomach side effects if they avoid taking imipramine on an empty stomach.

Mood or Mental Changes

Unusual mood or mental changes can arise in children or adults taking imipramine. Young patients can appear abnormally anxious or nervous or may experience erratic mood swings or emotional instability. Adults receiving treatment with this medication may become excited, irritated or restless, reports Drugs.com. Older patients can also appear confused or may begin to see, hear or feel things that are not real--a side effect of imipramine called hallucinations. Health professionals with MedlinePlus warn that patients under the age of 24 who take antidepressants, such as imipramine, may be at an increased risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts. Patients who develop any mood or mental changes while taking imipramine should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Sleeping Difficulties or Fatigue

Children taking imipramine can experience unusual fatigue as a side effect of treatment, explains PDRHealth. Alternatively, children can develop sleeping disorders that make it difficult for them to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. Children who experience increased fatigue can also have trouble concentrating or remaining attentive while in school.

Sexual Changes

Abnormal sexual changes can emerge as side effects of imipramine in adults. Men and women taking this medication may notice unusual swelling or growth of the breast tissue, warns RxList. Women can also experience unusual milk production from the breasts. Men treated with imipramine can have difficulty becoming aroused during sexual stimulation, a side effect referred to as impotence. Men who experience testicular swelling should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.

References

Article reviewed by Brad Walters Last updated on: Jul 22, 2010

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