How should I take desipramine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow
the directions on your prescription label.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
desipramine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using desipramine without first talking to your doctor. You may need to
use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping this medication suddenly
could cause you to have unpleasant side effects.
It may take a few weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For
best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do
not improve during treatment.
Store desipramine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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?
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?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause dangerous side effects when taken together with
desipramine.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, or other antidepressants). They can add to
sleepiness caused by 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.
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