Imipramine
Även känd som: Tofranil, Tofranil-PM
- **Patience is Key**: Behavioral changes may take **several weeks** to become noticeable. Continue dosing as prescribed and do not stop the medication abruptly without consulting your veterinarian. - **Safety First**: This medication is **highly toxic in overdose** to both animals and humans. Keep it in child-resistant packaging, securely locked away from pets and children. - **Side Effects**: You may notice your pet becoming sleepy, having a dry mouth, or experiencing constipation. If your pet seems overly excited, trembles, or has a seizure, contact your vet immediately. - **Missed Doses**: If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but never double up on doses.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Urethral incompetence
- Adjunctive cancer pain treatment
- Anxiety, inappropriate urination
- Pharmacologic induced ejaculation
- Narcolepsy/cataplexy
- Urethral incompetence
- Urinary incontinence when other agents fail
- Cataplexy
- Adjunctive treatment of separation anxiety or other tricyclic antidepressant-responsive behavior disorders
- Adjunctive cancer pain treatment
- Anxiety, inappropriate urination, narcolepsy
- Anxiety, inappropriate urination, narcolepsy
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Tachycardia
- Hyperexcitability
- Tremors
- Seizures (CNS stimulation)
- Bone marrow suppression
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Excitability
- Arrhythmias
- Hypotension
- Syncope
- Increased appetite
Cautions & contraindications
- Prior sensitivity to any tricyclic antidepressant
- Concomitant use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within 14 days
- Glaucoma
- History of seizures
- Urinary retention
- Severe liver disease
- Hypersensitivity to tricyclic antidepressants
- Use with extreme caution in patients with **seizure disorders**, as imipramine may lower the seizure threshold. **Pregnancy Warning:** There are isolated reports of limb reduction abnormalities (teratogenic potential). Restrict use in pregnant animals to situations where benefits clearly outweigh the risks (FDA Category D in humans). **Nursing:** Excreted into milk in low concentrations (milk:plasma ratio 0.4 to 1.5).
Drug interactions
- Anticholinergic agents: Additive anticholinergic effects; use cautiously
- Cimetidine: May inhibit tricyclic antidepressant metabolism and increase the risk of toxicity
- CNS Depressants: Additive CNS depressant effects; use cautiously
- Levodopa: Imipramine may decrease levodopa oral absorption
- Phenobarbital: May decrease tricyclic levels
- Quinidine: Increased risk for QTc interval prolongation and tricyclic adverse effects
- Rifampin: May decrease tricyclic blood levels
- SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline): Increased risk for serotonin syndrome
- Sympathomimetic agents: May increase the risk of cardiac effects (arrhythmias, hypertension, hyperpyrexia)
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (including amitraz, selegiline): Concomitant use (within 14 days) is generally contraindicated due to risk of serotonin syndrome
- Thyroid agents: May increase risk for cardiac arrhythmias
- Cisapride: Increased risk for prolonged QT interval
- Clonidine: Tricyclics may increase blood pressure
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): High risk of fatal serotonin syndrome
- Chlorphenamine: Altered metabolism via cytochrome P450 2D6 competition/inhibition
- Serotonergic agents: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome
- Trazodone: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome (use only in exceptional cases with careful monitoring)
Vanliga frågor
What is Imipramine used for in pets?
- Patience is Key: Behavioral changes may take several weeks to become noticeable. Continue dosing as prescribed and do not stop the medication abruptly without consulting your veterinarian. - Safety First: This medication is highly toxic in overdose to both animals and humans. Keep it in child-resistant packaging, securely locked away from pets and children. - Side Effects: You may notice your pet becoming sleepy, having a dry mouth, or experiencing constipation. If your pet seems overly excited, trembles, or has a seizure, contact your vet immediately. - Missed Doses: If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but never double up on doses.
Is Imipramine safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Artikeln är allmän information och ersätter inte veterinärråd. Om djuret mår dåligt, kontakta veterinär.
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