Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (214 page)

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imipramine (Rx)

(im-ip′ra-meen)

Tofranil, Tofranil PM

Func. class.:
Antidepressant, tricyclic

Chem. class.:
Dibenzazepine, tertiary amine

Do not confuse:
imipramine
/desipramine

ACTION:

Blocks reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin into nerve endings, thereby increasing action of norepinephrine, serotonin in nerve cells

USES:

Depression, enuresis in children

Unlabeled uses:
Chronic pain, migraine headaches, cluster headaches as adjunct, incontinence, ADHD, neuralgia, bulimia, neuropathic pain, social phobia

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity to tricyclics, AV block, bundle branch block, ileus, QT prolongation, acute MI

Precautions:
Breastfeeding, geriatric patients, suicidal patients, severe depression, increased intraocular pressure, closed-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, cardiac/hepatic disease, hyperthyroidism, electroshock therapy, elective surgery, seizure disorders, prostatic hypertrophy, MI

 

Black Box Warning:

Children other than for enuresis; suicidal ideation

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Depression

• Adult: PO
75-100 mg/day in divided doses, may increase by 25-50 mg to 200 mg/day (outpatients), 300 mg/day (inpatients); may give daily dose at bedtime

• Geriatric: PO
25-50 mg at bedtime, may increase to 100 mg/day in divided doses

• Child ≥6 yr (unlabeled): PO
1.5 mg/kg/day in divided doses, max 2.5 mg/kg/day

Enuresis

• Child 6-12 yr: PO
10-25 mg at bedtime, max 50 mg

Neuropathic pain (unlabeled)

• Adult: PO
10-150 mg/day

Social phobia/panic disorder (unlabeled)

• Adult: PO
10 mg at bedtime, titrate q2-4days to 100-200 mg/day

Overactive bladder (OAB) (unlabeled)

• Adult: PO
10-50 mg daily, may titrate to 150 mg/day

Available forms:
Tabs 10, 25, 50 mg; caps 75, 100, 125, 150 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
Not to break, crush, or chew caps

• 
With food or milk for GI symptoms

• 
Dosage at bedtime if oversedation occurs during day; may take entire dose at bedtime; geriatric patients may not tolerate once daily dosing

• 
Sugarless gum, hard candy, or frequent sips of water for dry mouth

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Dizziness, drowsiness
, confusion,
seizures,
headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, weakness, insomnia, nightmares, EPS (geriatric patients), increased psychiatric symptoms, paresthesia

CV:
Orthostatic hypotension, ECG changes, tachycardia
, hypertension, palpitations,
dysrhythmias

EENT:
Blurred vision, tinnitus, mydriasis

GI:
Diarrhea, dry mouth
, nausea, vomiting,
paralytic ileus;
increased appetite; cramps, epigastric distress, jaundice,
hepatitis,
stomatitis, constipation, taste change

GU:
Retention
,
acute renal failure

HEMA:
Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia

INTEG:
Rash, urticaria, sweating, pruritus, photosensitivity; hyperpigmentation (rare)

PHARMACOKINETICS

Steady state 2-5 days; metabolized to desipramine by liver; excreted in urine, breast milk, feces; crosses placenta; half-life 6-20 hr

INTERACTIONS

 
Hyperpyretic crisis, seizures, hypertensive episode: MAOIs, cloNIDine

 
Increase:
serotonin syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome—SSRIs, SNRIs, serotonin-receptor agonists; avoid concurrent use, linezolid, methylene blue IV

Increase:
QT interval—class IA/III antidysrhythmics, tricyclics, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ziprasidone

Increase:
effects of direct-acting sympathomimetics (EPINEPHrine), alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, CNS depressants

Decrease:
effects of guanethidine, cloNIDine, indirect-acting sympathomimetics (ePHEDrine)

Drug/Herb

Increase:
serotonin syndrome—SAM-e, St. John’s wort

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
serum bilirubin, alk phos, blood glucose

Decrease:
5-HIAA, VMA, urinary catecholamines

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
B/P (lying, standing), pulse q4hr; if systolic B/P drops 20 mm Hg, hold product, notify prescriber; take vital signs q4hr in patients with CV disease

• 
Blood studies: CBC, leukocytes, differential, cardiac enzymes, serum imipramine levels (125-250 ng/ml) if patient is receiving long-term therapy

• 
Hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin

• 
Weight weekly; appetite may increase with product

 
QT prolongation:
ECG for flattening of T wave, bundle branch block, AV block, dysrhythmias in cardiac patients

• 
EPS primarily in geriatric patients: rigidity, dystonia, akathisia

• 
Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect,
suicidal tendencies;
increase in psychiatric symptoms: depression, panic

• 
Urinary retention, constipation; constipation is more likely to occur in children, geriatric patients; increase fluids, bulk in diet

 
Withdrawal symptoms:
headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, insomnia, restlessness; not usual unless product is discontinued abruptly


 
Serotonin syndrome, hypertensive episodes, identify drug interactions before use of product

• 
Alcohol consumption; if alcohol is consumed, hold dose until morning

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in tight container at room temp; do not freeze

• 
Assistance with ambulation during beginning therapy because drowsiness, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension occurs

• 
Safety measures, primarily for geriatric patients

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased depression, enuresis, pain

Teach patient/family:

• 
That therapeutic effects may take 2-3 wk

• 
That product is dispensed in small amounts because of suicide potential, especially at beginning of therapy

• 
To use caution when driving, performing other activities requiring alertness because of drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision

• 
To report urinary retention immediately

• 
To avoid alcohol, other CNS depressants during treatment

• 
Not to discontinue medication abruptly after long-term use; may cause nausea, headache, malaise

• 
To wear sunscreen or large hat because photosensitivity occurs

• 
To rise slowly, orthostatic hypotension may occur

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

ECG monitoring; lavage, activated charcoal; administer anticonvulsant

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

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