What should I know about desipramine hydrochloride?

Before using desipramine hydrochloride, you should inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction of any kind to medicine, food, dyes, animals, or preservatives. Serious side effects, and sometimes death, have occurred when taking desipramine hydrochloride with other antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). You should not take desipramine hydrochloride within two weeks of stopping an MAOI. You should also know that studies have shown that taking antidepressants increases the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers. You should report any changes in your thinking or feelings, particularly if your depression symptoms increase. You should discuss any medical conditions with your doctor to insure there are no contrary effects. If you've had a heart attack recently, you should not take this drug.

Desipramine hydrochloride may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. It can also make you sleepy or unable to be totally alert, so you may need to avoid driving while on this drug. Pregnant women may be at risk taking this drug, so talk about your pregnancy plans with your doctor.