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Side Effects of Imipramine Hydrochloride
Common side effects of imipramine hydrochloride in adults include dizziness, difficulty urinating, and drowsiness. Common side effects in children include sleeping problems, constipation, or nervousness. In most cases, these side effects are minor and easily treated. However, some imipramine hydrochloride side effects are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider right away, such as delusions or hallucinations, seizures, and yellowing of the eyes or skin.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil®). However, not everyone who takes the antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with imipramine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of imipramine side effects with you.)
Imipramine has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, a few of the side effects of imipramine include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Dry mouth (see Imipramine and Dry Mouth)
- Weight gain or weight loss (see Imipramine and Weight Gain)
- Erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence) or changes in libido (see Imipramine Sexual Side Effects)
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Increased sweating.
Withdrawal side effects have been reported in people who have stopped taking the drug suddenly. These side effects include nausea, headache, and a general ill feeling (see Imipramine Withdrawal).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD