Imipramine+diazepam
About Imipramine+diazepam
Imipramine+diazepam belongs to the class of medications called ‘antidepressants’ used in the treatment of depression. Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person's daily life described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger. These symptoms may interfere with your daily activities and affect your quality-of-life.
Imipramine+diazepam contains Imipramine and Diazepam. Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing serotonin and noradrenalin levels, chemicals present in the brain responsible for energy, mood, and behavior. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It increases the levels of chemicals in the brain that produce a calming effect. Together, Imipramine+diazepam can effectively reduce the symptoms of depression.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Imipramine+diazepam may cause side-effects such as drowsiness, fatigue (extreme tiredness), confusion, loss of coordination of body movements (ataxia), dryness in the mouth, constipation, difficulty in urination, difficulty passing urine, low blood pressure, decrease in sexual function, dilation of the pupil of the eye, vision problems, loss of appetite, and increased heart rate. These side-effects usually don’t require medical attention. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Imipramine+diazepam if you are allergic to any contents of it. Do not take Imipramine+diazepam if you have severe liver disease, heart disease, mania (exaggerated behavior or hyperactivity), porphyria (an inherited blood disorder), difficulty passing urine, glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye), severe breathing problems, phobia (a fear of particular object), myasthenia gravis (a condition in which muscles weaken), and sleep apnoea (a sleep disorder). Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age. In children and young adults below 25 years, this medicine should be used with caution as it may increase suicidal tendencies and worsen depression. It should be used with caution in elderly patients. Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of side-effects. Imipramine+diazepam may cause drowsiness or blurred vision, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.
Uses of Imipramine+diazepam
Medicinal Benefits
Imipramine+diazepam is used to treat depression. It decreases the number of episodes of depression and also reduces the duration of each depressive episode. It improves mood, behavior, sleep and decreases anxiety. This medicine is prescribed for longer durations as it may take several weeks to improve your overall condition. Imipramine+diazepam is highly effective if taken regularly as per the doctor’s advice.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Imipramine+diazepam
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination of body movements (ataxia)
- Dryness in mouth
- Constipation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Low blood pressure
- Disturbances in sexual function
- Dilation of the pupil of the eye
- Vision problems
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Changes in libido
- Weight increase
Drug Warnings
It is not recommended to take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and Imipramine+diazepam simultaneously. You should wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI before using Imipramine+diazepam. Before taking Imipramine+diazepam, inform your doctor if you have any mental illness, personality disorder, are withdrawing from alcohol or any other medicines, enlarged prostate gland, overactive thyroid, fits, brain damage, poor blood circulation, severe kidney disease, tumors in the adrenal gland, panic attacks, long-term constipation, low levels of albumin, and a habit of smoke. Inform your doctor if you have suicidal thoughts as Imipramine+diazepam may worsen suicidal tendencies, especially in young adults. While taking Imipramine+diazepam, inform your doctor if you experience agitation, restlessness, nightmares, and hallucinations as this medicine may cause these side-effects, especially in children and the elderly. Imipramine+diazepam may cause total or partial memory loss when taken in high doses. Imipramine+diazepam may cause dependence, so it should be used for the shortest time possible in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. After a few weeks of treatment, if the tablets are not working for you, inform your doctor immediately, as it can be a sign of tolerance. Imipramine+diazepam should not be used in combination with an opioid pain killer (buprenorphine). Concomitant use of these drugs may lead to serotonin syndrome (a life-threatening condition that causes high blood pressure and fast heart rate).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Imipramine+diazepam may interact with an opioid pain killer (buprenorphine), a medicine used to treat sleep problems (sodium oxybate), other antidepressants (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, phenelzine, moclobemide, and Hypericum perforatum), antipsychotics (clozapine), medicines used to treat allergies, general anesthetics, medicines used to induce sleep (alprazolam), antibiotics (erythromycin and rifampicin), medicines used to relax muscles (suxamethonium and tubocurarin), strong pain killer (morphine), medicines used to treat fits or mental disorders (phenobarbital), medicines used to treat high blood pressure, antacids (cimetidine, omeprazole, and esomeprazole), a medicine used to treat alcohol addiction (disulfiram), medicines used to treat fits (phenytoin, carbamazepine, and sodium valproate), medicine used to treat asthma (theophylline), antivirals (atazanavir, ritonavir, efavirenz, indinavir, and zidovudine, etc.), antitubercular (isoniazid), oral contraceptives, steroid medicines, anesthetic (ketamine), medicines to treat nausea and vomiting (nabilone), and medicines used to treat heart conditions (diltiazem, verapamil, and quinidine, etc.).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol may increase the risk of side-effects such as drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Imipramine+diazepam should not be used in patients with severe liver disease, heart disease, mania (exaggerated behavior or hyperactivity), porphyria (an inherited blood disorder), difficulty passing urine, glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye), severe breathing problems, phobia (a fear of particular object), myasthenia gravis (a condition in which muscles weaken), and sleep apnoea (a sleep disorder).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDo not take alcohol while using Imipramine+diazepam as it can cause excessive drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeImipramine+diazepam is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
unsafeImipramine+diazepam may pass into breastmilk and cause harmful effects to the nursing baby. So, it is not recommended to use in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeImipramine+diazepam may cause drowsiness and blurred vision, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery while using this medicine.
Liver
cautionImipramine+diazepam should not be used in patients with severe liver diseases. It should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate liver diseases, and the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionImipramine+diazepam should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionImipramine+diazepam should not be used in children less than 6 years of age. In children above 6 years, this medicine should be used only if clinically needed.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly helps in improving overall health and boosts self-esteem.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oils.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help maintain neurotransmitter's proper maintenance.
- Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps in relieving stress, improving mood, boosts self-esteem, and provides restful sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors, and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
- Imipramine+diazepam may reduce some blood cell counts and impair liver function. So, your doctor may monitor blood cell levels and liver function while using this medicine.
- Imipramine+diazepam may cause problems with teeth, so your doctor may advise you to undergo regular dental check-ups throughout the treatment.
- It is not recommended to abruptly stop Imipramine+diazepam, as it may cause withdrawal reactions such as irritability, excess sweating, nervousness, stomach upset, difficulty sleeping, and worsening of depression. Children may experience changes in behavior. Your doctor may gradually reduce the dose before completely stopping the medicine.
- Imipramine+diazepam may cause orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure on standing). So, it is advised to rise-up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder characterized by the persistent feeling of sadness, unhappiness, anger, hopelessness, or loss that interferes with a person’s daily activities. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. In this condition, neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline levels decrease, resulting in symptoms of depression. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions. Counseling (psychotherapy) and antidepressants can be used to treat depression.
FAQs
Imipramine+diazepam contains Imipramine and Diazepam. Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing serotonin and noradrenalin levels, chemicals present in the brain responsible for energy, mood, and behavior. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It increases the levels of chemicals in the brain that produce a calming effect. Together, Imipramine+diazepam can effectively reduce the symptoms of depression.
Imipramine+diazepam may cause side-effects such as drowsiness, fatigue (extreme tiredness), confusion, loss of coordination of body movements (ataxia), dryness in the mouth, constipation, difficulty in urination, difficulty passing urine, low blood pressure, decrease in sexual function, dilation of the pupil of the eye, vision problems, loss of appetite, and increased heart rate. These side-effects usually don’t require medical attention. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Imipramine+diazepam can be addictive or habit-forming if taken for prolonged periods. So, it is advised to take Imipramine+diazepam only for a duration as intended by the doctor.
It is not advised to take other antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as phenelzine and moclobemide, while using Imipramine+diazepam. It may lead to unwanted effects. The doctor may advise you to wait for at least 14 days after discontinuing MAOI if you have been prescribed Imipramine+diazepam.
Imipramine+diazepam may affect blood sugar levels. So, it is necessary to inform your doctor that you have diabetes before taking this medicine.
Imipramine+diazepam may alter blood count, impair liver function, and cause problems with teeth. Therefore, you should regularly monitor blood cell levels, liver function tests and undergo dental check-ups while taking this medicine.