What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking trimipramine:
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, thyroid disease, stomach or intestinal problems, diabetes, an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating, glaucoma, high blood pressure or heart disease, or had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks. You may not be able to take trimipramine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of these conditions.
Do not take trimipramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (MarplanŽ), phenelzine (NardilŽ), or tranylcypromine (ParnateŽ) within the last 14 days.
Trimipramine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including other antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor, including herbal products.
While you are taking trimipramine you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking trimipramine. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with trimipramine.
Additionally, if you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated, and low blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
Trimipramine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means it is unknown whether trimipramine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Furthermore, it is also not known whether trimipramine passes into breast milk and whether it will affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Use cautiously when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Trimipramine may cause drowsiness or dizziness so try to avoid these activities.
Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
Do not stop taking trimipramine suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dosage and using this medicine
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
In case of an emergency/overdose