Description:

Imipramine 10mg and 25mg Tablets are tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) medications used primarily to treat depression (major depressive disorder), nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) in children aged 6 years and older, and sometimes chronic pain conditions (e.g., neuropathic pain) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an off-label use. Imipramine increases the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain by inhibiting their reuptake, helping to improve mood, sleep, appetite, and energy in depression, and reducing night-time urination in enuresis.

Prescription: Prescription-only (requires a doctor’s prescription in Ghana; dispensed by pharmacies with Rx; typically prescribed by psychiatrists, physicians, or paediatricians; not OTC due to side effect profile, overdose risk, and need for monitoring, especially in depression or children).

Therapeutic Category:

Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) / Noradrenergic and Serotonergic Reuptake Inhibitor.

Active Ingredients/Composition: Each film-coated tablet contains:

• Active ingredient: Imipramine hydrochloride – 10 mg or 25 mg per tablet. Other ingredients (excipients, typical): Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, talc, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides (for coloring – 10mg often yellow, 25mg pink/orange). Tablets are film-coated, round or triangular, and debossed with strength.

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant:

• Imipramine 10mg film-coated tablets (lower dose for initiation or paediatric use).
• Imipramine 25mg film-coated tablets (standard adult dose). Common pack sizes: 30, 60, or 100 tablets per pack. The 10mg and 25mg strengths are the primary variants available.

Consume Type:

Oral – Film-coated tablet (swallow whole with water; do not crush or chew unless advised for dose adjustment).

Directions/Usage: Take as prescribed (usually once or in divided doses).

• Depression (adults): Starting dose typically 25mg 1–3 times daily; gradually increased to 75–150 mg daily (up to 300 mg in severe cases) in divided doses or at bedtime.
• Nocturnal enuresis (children 6+ years): 25mg once daily at bedtime (10mg for younger children if needed; max 50–75 mg depending on age/weight).
• Take at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation.
• Do not stop suddenly (risk of withdrawal symptoms – taper gradually).
• Duration: 4–6 weeks for full antidepressant effect; long-term for maintenance; short-term (weeks) for enuresis.

Common Side Effects: Common:

• Anticholinergic: Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention.
• Sedation/drowsiness (especially early).
• Dizziness, headache.
• Weight gain, increased appetite.
• Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness on standing). Less common/serious (seek help): Cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, confusion, severe constipation, urinary retention, or suicidal thoughts (especially in young adults).

Package Type:

Blister packs (commonly 3×10 = 30 tablets or 10×10 = 100 tablets per pack; foil blisters in carton with patient information leaflet).

Storage Advice: Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C) in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep in original packaging, tightly closed. Out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• High risk in overdose (cardiotoxicity, seizures, coma – keep locked away).
• Contraindicated in recent myocardial infarction, heart block, mania, or hypersensitivity.
• Caution in elderly (increased sedation/falls risk), glaucoma, prostate enlargement, epilepsy, or concurrent use of MAO inhibitors (risk of serotonin syndrome).
• Monitor for suicidal ideation (especially first weeks in young adults).
• Avoid alcohol (increases sedation).
• If chest pain, irregular heartbeat, severe drowsiness, confusion, or suicidal thoughts occur, seek immediate medical care.
• Keep out of reach of children (high overdose toxicity).

Product Substitutes: Similar imipramine 10mg and 25mg tablets in Ghana include:

• Generic imipramine hydrochloride 10mg/25mg tablets (various importers).
• Tofranil (original brand if stocked).
• Other TCAs: Amitriptyline 10mg/25mg, nortriptyline. Alternatives for depression: SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine) – safer profile; for enuresis: desmopressin or oxybutynin. Consult psychiatrist/paediatrician in Accra for alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

Crescent Pharmaceuticals

Country of Origin:

UK