Drug Notes

Trimipramine (By mouth)

Trimipramine (trye-MIP-ra-meen)

Treats depression. This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).

Brand Name(s):

Surmontil

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Your doctor may tell you to take this medicine at bedtime, because it can make you sleepy.
• You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.
• Some medicines can affect how trimipramine works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
  • Atropine, buspirone, cimetidine, fentanyl, guanethidine, lithium, tramadol, St John's wort
  • Thyroid medicine, tryptophan supplements, triptan medicine for migraine medicines, medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine), other medicine to treat depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline), or a phenothiazine medicine (such as chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine)
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, schizophrenia, thyroid problems, or a history of mania, seizures, or trouble urinating.
• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serotonin syndrome (more likely when used with certain other medicines)
  • Changes in blood sugar levels
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Agitation, restlessness, mood or mental changes, trouble sleeping
• Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Chest pain, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Seizures
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017