Trimipramine

Trimipramine is a prescription medication used to treat depression. Trimipramine belongs to a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants, which work by increasing the amount of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed to maintain mental balance.

This medication comes in capsule form and is typically taken once or multiple times a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of trimipramine include nausea, vomiting, headache, or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how trimipramine affects you.

CYP2D6 is a protein in your body that is involved in the elimination of trimipramine and other drugs from your body. Some patients have less of this protein in their bodies, affecting how much of the drug gets eliminated. Levels of CYP2D6 can vary greatly between individuals, and those having less of this protein are known as "poor metabolizers." 

CYP2D6 testing is done to determine whether you are a poor metabolizer. If you are a poor metabolizer, the levels of trimipramine in your blood can become too high. As a result, you may be at an increased risk of having more side effects from trimipramine. 

Your doctor may adjust your dose of trimipramine if you are a poor metabolizer. 

Trimipramine is a prescription medication used to treat depression.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Trimipramine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Surmontil

Serious side effects have been reported with trimipramine. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of trimipramine include the following:

• nausea
• vomiting
• insomnia
• dizziness
• anxiety

This is not a complete list of trimipramine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of trimipramine maleate or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Trimipramine maleate is not approved for use in pediatric patients.