Imipramine Withdrawal: Understanding Potential Side Effects

Imipramine (Tofranil) is a medication typically used to treat depression. It is sometimes used in small doses to treat bedwetting in children. If imipramine is stopped abruptly, numerous side effects can result.

Physical Side Effects

• Physical side effects that may occur when abruptly stopping imipramine include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and a general feeling of malaise. While these symptoms are generally not dangerous, they can be very unpleasant.

Mental Side Effects

• Mental side effects that may occur include irritability, depression, and an increase in other psychiatric symptoms. In some cases these mental side effects can be dangerous; patients may become suicidal if depression is severe.

Side Effects in Children

• Children who are being treated for enuresis and are abruptly taken off imipramine may begin wetting the bed again.

Preventing Withdrawal

• To prevent withdrawal symptoms, imipramine doses are decreased gradually. Patients should not stop taking imipramine abruptly and should consult with a doctor before discontinuing the drug.

Treating Withdrawal

• Most withdrawal symptoms do not require treatment. They will simply go away in time. If symptoms are severe, a doctor may increase the dosage again and decrease it more slowly. Symptoms like increased depression and insomnia can be treated with other medications if necessary.