Generic Name
Desipramine.
Brand Name
Norpramin.
Class
Tricyclic antidepressant.
Proposed Mechanism(s) of Action
Desipramine acts primarily as an inhibitor of the norepinephrine reuptake pump. This results in a boost in neurotransmitter availability in the cleft and, since dopamine is inactivated by norepinephrine reuptake in the prefrontal cortex, it is hypothesized that desipramine also increases to total ambient availability of dopamine as well. At higher doses, it appears to boost presynaptic serotonin production and release.
Indication
Depression.
Off-Label Use
Anxiety, insomnia, neuropathic pain, and treatment-resistant depression.
Side Effects
Serious
Paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, lowered seizure threshold, sudden death, cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, QT prolongation, hepatic failure, mania, and potential for activation of suicidal ideation.
Common
Blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, increased appetite, dry mouth, diarrhea, heartburn, weight gain, fatigue,...
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Physicians’ desk reference (71st ed.) (2017). Montvale: Thomson PDR.
Stahl, S. M. (2007). Essential psychopharmacology: The prescriber’s guide (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Information
Drug Interaction Effects. http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html.
Drug Molecule Images. http://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/.
Free Drug Online and PDA Software. www.epocrates.com.
Free Drug Online and PDA Software. www.medscape.com.
Gene-Based Estimate of Drug interactions. http://mhc.daytondcs.com:8080/cgibin/ddiD4?ver=4&task=getDrugList.
Pill Identification. http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html.
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Courtney, J.C., Gonzalez, E.A. (2018). Desipramine. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1646
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1646
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
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Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57111-9
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