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Desipramine (Norpramin): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Facts
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Prescription (Rx) Boxed warning
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10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg
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Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · About this document

Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Desipramine

What is the most important information I should know about antidepressant medicines, depression and other serious mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts or actions?

  1. 1. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.
  2. 2. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
  3. 3. How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
  • Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
  • Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
  • Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms. Who should not take desipramine hydrochloride tablets?
  • You should not take desipramine hydrochloride tablets if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
  • Do not take an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping desipramine hydrochloride tablets unless directed to do so by your physician.
  • Do not start desipramine hydrochloride tablets if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your physician.

Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • thoughts about suicide or dying
  • attempts to commit suicide
  • ·new or worse depression
  • ·new or worse anxiety
  • feeling very agitated or restless
  • panic attacks
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • ·new or worse irritability
  • acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
  • acting on dangerous impulses
  • an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
  • other unusual changes in behavior or mood

Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood. Elderly people may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include:

  • headache
  • weakness or feeling unsteady
  • confusion, problems concentrating or thinking or memory problems

Visual Problems

  • eye pain
  • changes in vision
  • swelling or redness in or around the eye

Only some people are at risk for these problems. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are.

What else do I need to know about antidepressant medicines?

  • Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
  • Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
  • Antidepressant medicines have other side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
  • Antidepressant medicines can interact with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member takes. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare provider.
  • Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more information.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with desipramine hydrochloride tablets .

    • If you become pregnant during treatment with desipramine hydrochloride tablets, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. You can register by calling 1-844-405-6185 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research- programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants
  • Tell your healthcare provider if have low sodium levels in your blood during treatment with desipramine hydrochloride tablets.

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

You may also report side effects to Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited at 1-866-210-9797.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured by:

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited

(Formulation Division),

Panelav 389350, Gujarat, India

Manufactured for:

Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Bedminster, NJ 07921, USA

Revised: 07/2025

About this document

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · Application number: ANDA 209785 · View the label on DailyMed

Revision date stated in the text: July 2025

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Desipramine

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
  • This drug is available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Rx
Boxed warning Yes – this drug has a boxed warning (also called a black box warning), the strongest warning of the FDA.
Drug class Tricyclic Antidepressant
Active ingredient Desipramine hydrochloride
Dosage form Tablet, film coated
Route Oral
Marketing status listed in the FDA NDC Directory
Company (applicant) ALEMBIC
FDA approval ANDA 209785Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) – generic drug Approved July 7, 2021
Therapeutic equivalence (TE) code ABCodes starting with A mean the FDA rates the drug therapeutically equivalent to its reference drug (Orange Book).
Manufacturers 7 labelers list this drug on DailyMed
Recalls
  • October 6, 2025: Class II recall: CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
  • October 6, 2025: Class II recall: CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
  • October 6, 2025: Class II recall: CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
Show more recalls (2)+
  • October 6, 2025: Class II recall: CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
  • October 6, 2025: Class II recall: CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
Packages (NDC)
Package
10 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-315-30
10 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-315-31
10 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-315-91
25 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-316-30
25 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-316-31
25 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-316-91
50 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-317-30
50 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-317-31
50 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-317-91
75 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-318-30
75 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-318-31
75 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-318-91
Show more packages (7)+
100 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-319-30
100 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-319-31
100 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-319-91
150 mg – 30 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-320-30
150 mg – 50 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-320-50
150 mg – 100 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-320-31
150 mg – 1000 in 1 bottle NDC 62332-320-91

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed, data as of October 31, 2026. FDA data (DailyMed, Orange Book, Drug Shortages, enforcement reports). Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.