Imipramine User Reviews & Ratings

• conrad
• January 24, 2010

Tofranil (imipramine) for Depression "I suffered from depression on and off til I was 33. My doctor prescribed a couple medicines without success. Tried Tofranil because my mother took it in the late 1950's. Noticed a gradual improvement over 1 to 4 months with the full effect over a period of about 12 months. Medicine did not work at 100mg so went up to 250mg then 200mg. Some (small price) side effects include dry mouth (Gum, tictac remedy) medicine makes you sleepy about 2 hrs after ingestion. Get ready for a good nights sleep, increased appetite and feeling more relaxed than ever before. I remember the first sign of the Tofranil working was when I went outside one day and the sun seemed so bright and I was happier to be alive. That was 25years ago. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2012

Tofranil (imipramine) for Panic Disorder "Tofranil is THE medicine to take for Panic Disorder. I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder recently, and I was a complete mess. Depressed, suicidal, anxious, the works. My primary care Dr. gave me Xanax. The Xanax helped, but only for short spurts. It also made me more depressed. I was taking up to 3 mg per day, and barely functioning. I got in to see a Psychiatrist, and he is older and more experienced. He immediately knew I had Panic Disorder, and started me on Tofranil. Tofranil absolutely stopped the panic attacks cold. I have been able to cut the Xanax way back, and feel, dare I say, normal. Tofranil is an old medicine, so many docs don't or won't try it. Newer is not always better."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2011

Tofranil (imipramine) for Panic Disorder "I had my first panic attacks immediately following the birth of my first son 18 years ago when I was 28 years old. The panic attacks were horrific and occurred randomly. I was prescribed a few different medications that weren't successful, but when I was prescribed Imipramine, I felt I had my life back. I doubt that I could have continued to be a primary school teacher without Imipramine. It has really been a miracle medication to me. When doctors hear that I take Imipramine, they usually comment that it is a really old drug that has been around since the 60's. Then they ask if I'd like to try one of the newer drugs. No way! I feel perfect on Imipramine. I can't say enough great things about it."

• Blood...
• January 8, 2020

For Depression "I was on Imipramine for 20 years for severe depression. This medicine turned my life around. I was a new and happy person. Then 5 months ago I couldn't get my Imipramine from Walgreens. I can't find out why I can't get my prescription of Imipramine anymore. My Psychiatrist has tried several other antidepressants which had awful side effects and made things worse. Is their anyone on this site who has had the same issue of not being able to get Imipramine....I am desperate for some help in getting this medicine.Thank you."

• Snake
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2019

For Depression "Male 70 years old as of 2019. Started taking imipramine in 1995 for anxiety and depression. Been a lifesaver of a medication. Started at 100mg at bedtime but slowly reduced to my present dose of 50mg at bedtime and have been taking this dose for 17 years. Had tried SSRI's prior to the imipramine and had terrible reactions so doctor gave me the tried and true imipramine. It saved my life."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2009

Tofranil (imipramine) for Panic Disorder "I had suffered with panic attacks since I was around 14 years old. There came a time when I had shock treatments because back in the 60's not much was known about these kinds of illnesses. Later on, I became completely housebound for 8 years. I heard about Tofranil and decided to try it. Within 3 weeks I was able to not only get out of my house but go about 3 blocks away. It takes time, but if it had not been for Tofranil combined with Xanax I would still be home bound. It works, no two ways about it. When nothing else did. The only side effects were sleepiness until it gets into your system (2 weeks for me) and dry mouth. But for me that was nothing to getting my life back."

• Airbo...
• March 9, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I am currently active duty in the military and suffer from severe panic attacks and depression. I've been put on serveral different medications including k-pin, zanax, ativan and others. All helped a little but only for an hour or so, so I was taking them constantly. Tofranil has given me my sanity back. The first day taking it I saw an immediate change. I did not have a panic attack for the first time in an entire year and my mood seemed to improve a little. I strongly believe this medication should be tried first before attempting to try ativan or any other benzodiazepines."

• CCarr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2020

For Depression "I have been battling the combination of anxiety and depression for close to 2 years. The first two medications I took (Paxil and Effexor) were horrible. Basically they made the symptoms worse and Effexor gave me insomnia. I was then given Remeron which worked for 2 months, then stopped working. Kept upping the dose and it just numbed me out and made anxiety worse. Finally they put me on Imipramine because my dad has taken it for 35 years and had no problems. It took a little while to work. About 10 weeks for me and that was a gradual increase in dose to 300 mg. Thats the level my dad takes so I do the same. It worked for me. Anyone who reads this review I hope it works for you as well."

• ehh
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2014

For Depression "I switched from Prozac to Imipramine after reading extensively about how successful it was before the advent of SSRI's. I have had ZERO side effects and no drowsiness on 100mg of Imipramine, while Prozac made me manic and absolutely ruined my gastrointestinal tract. I have been very happy with this medicine, best one I have taken so far for Major Depression. It is also cheap."

• Rick
• September 14, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After 30 years of IBS and having taken many prescribed medications including nortriptylene, dicetal, pristique, all of which are supposed to be helpful with IBS, nothing worked for me. I also took herbal supplements and Metamucil and tried different diets, including the FODMAP diet. I tried high fibre, low fibre, no fibre and everything in between. I tried eliminating dairy and wheat from my diet. Nothing worked very well at all. I also tried Align and other probiotics etc. Finally I have found something that works for me after 30 years. And it is the prescription antidepressant medication called Imipramine. At a very low dosage of 25 mg at bedtime along with one heaping teaspoon of Metamucil in the afternoon, after 30 years of suffering with severe IBS, my symptoms are gone. Be aware that it took about 10 days before I was symptom free. This post isn’t about me. I am posting this in the hope that it can help someone else who is suffering. Rick H"

• Chacha
• March 27, 2017

For Panic Disorder "This medication saved my life! I've only been taking it for almost 2 weeks but I was thrilled at the fast response I had to it! I've literally tried almost every other antidepressant without much success for over 20 years - for my debilitating panic disorder/GAD/depression. Thank you to the Dr who started me on this recently while I was hospitalized for a suicide attempt. I can now leave my home without any fear or anxiety; my panic attacks/panic are literally gone! I feel like a new person! The only side effects I've had so far are dry mouth/dry eyes and a bit of tachycardia. It also helps me sleep for once; I take it at bedtime. I was titrated up to the 100mg dose once at bedtime. I cannot emphasize enough how happy I am to have this!"

• Jo212
• June 27, 2010

Tofranil (imipramine) for Panic Disorder "I have suffered with Panic Attacks all my life but went undiagnosed until 1989. I am now 58 and trust me when I tell you that there is no cure. In my initial diagnosis I was started on Tofranil as an inpatient. After my discharge from the hospital I went 5 entire years without having a panic attack. When they resumed I had to be re-hospitalized and it was there I was put on Klonopin, which I have essentially been off of for a year. I am having constant panic attacks. My daughter does not want me to resume Klonopin as when on it I slept all the time. I did this search to see if Tofranil is still being used for panic disorder and I see that it is. I plan to have my psychiatrist to put me back on it as it really worked."

• Floss
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 26, 2019

For Depression "When I was 50 years old my depression was very acute and I needed hospital care and the NHS provided imipramine at 200mg a day. I am now 74 years old and have not had an acute episode in all that time."

• Sky
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2018

For Depression "I was severely depressed for a year and literally never left my bed. At 35 years old I was a Professional woman working full time with 2 children (who l was bringing up with the help of a full time nanny whilst l was at work and unwell - she was an angel) l was terrified the sun would never shine again. Then my GP hospitalised me and l was introduced to Imipramine at 200mg a day in two split doses. Initially it totally knocked me out - no other side effects though, then dose reduced to 150mg a day then 75mg a day. l began to feel “me" again - fit, bothered about my appearance, wanting to socialise, really optimistic about the future and confident that l could cope. I returned home on 75mg a day and after a week took the children 10 and 8 on holiday for 3 weeks abroad!! Felt a little scary but we had great family bonding time and l was back at work within two months and off the Imipramine! For me it saved my life and the children will always have a mother!"

• LUCCA
• November 15, 2009

Tofranil (imipramine) for Interstitial Cystitis "For 3 years I have been battling bladder cancer. My bladder has shrunk, the pain has been great, the need to urinate is every 15 minutes or so. I have had 9 biopsies, some malignant and more recently 3 in a row benign. I have interstitial cystitis and started using Tofranil 5 months ago. Over the course of those 5 months Tofranil has gradually eliminated the pain and lengthened the time to urinate to once per hour. To me, it is a miracle drug and I continue to take it with no side effects whatsoever."

• Sexto...
• April 22, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I began having panic and anxiety attacks when I was 25. I suffered with them for about 10 years and a new doctor put me on imipramine. I've had only one or two anxiety attacks since and its been years. I'm now 72 and I haven't noticed any bad reactions to the medication."

• linda
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2018

For Depression "This was the first and best drug used to treat my severe depression. Before I took it I did not have enough energy to look for work nor could I hold up the newspaper to read it. I had been nauseous and eating little and I could not sleep beyond 3 hours. I had been very achey and exhausted and in a state of fatigue for greater than 6 months. After a month of imipramine I regained appetite, was no longer achey and I could sleep through the night. I got better, returned to work and was able to slowly wean off it after 18 months."

• XXXXX...
• January 2, 2010

Tofranil (imipramine) for Night Terrors "I had panic attacks (Night Terrors) for over a year or more and had lost hope for medication to help. Since the first night of taking Tofranil, I slept normal without the 3-4 am wake up(night terror) and have been free of them for 12 years without changing my medication. I am so thankful to have finely found and inexpensive medicine that actually worked from the first dose."

• BKano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2020

For Panic Disorder "This drug imipramine has changed my life. I have tried a dozen different SSRIs, and nothing has helped my panic disorder and depression as much as Imipramine. No noticeable side effects for me, either."

• Primr...
• September 14, 2016

For Pain "Taking at a very low dose to help me sleep as I have fibromyalgia related to arthritis. I tried two other drugs before this one and both have me extremely bad nightmares. I have found that I don't get nightmares with this one. Within an hour of taking, I am solid asleep virtually all night. I don't get foggy the next day. I really haven't had any side effects except for a slightly dry mouth, but I am on 10mg."

• Ash
• December 22, 2011

For Panic Disorder "I started at 25 mg and slowly made my way up to 125mg. It's really not doing much. It has blocked my panic attacks but doesn't seem to do much for everyday anxiety. This is week 5 and I'm thinking of trying a new medication. The side effects aren't as bad. I didn't have any appetite changes and no sexual side effects (sex drive improved). Only side effect I had was a dry mouth after >100 mg dosages - it is pretty annoying but its not that bad. Other side effect is random episodes of being tired - (again this side effect wasn't that bad). The only really bad thing I have to say about it is that it didn't really work for my generalized anxiety disorder. It does block panic attacks though! I highly recommend for bad panic attack sufferers."

• Zak
• September 5, 2019

For ADHD "My doctor gave me imipramine for my OCD. Within 8 days of starting this medicine, I could pick up a book and read it in 45 minutes. Astounding, since I've had terrible difficulty with reading my entire life. Sadly I had to stop taking the medication after two weeks due to a strong anticholinergic effect that was causing pretty severe bladder pain and urinary retention. I feel this tricyclic unlocked an extra 20 IQ points that were previously inaccessible to me. OTHER info, my visualization abilities were truly astounding while on imipramine that first time. When I thought of something, I could ask myself to visualize an 'abstract geometric representation' for instance of whatever I was thinking of. And POOF, a bright neon like abstract shape would appear in front of me. And oddly enough I 'understood' its relationship to the original idea."

• angie...
• December 18, 2015

For Depression "I was prescribed this med for depression which is also effective at bedtime for sleep & fibromyalgia pain. The pain improved significantly and I felt more rested the next day. A dry mouth is the main side effect that is noticeable. This drug is very helpful."

• truet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2015

For Pain "I was prescribed this medication for chronic widespread musclepain(fibromyalgia) and neuropathic pain,and allodynia all over plus vulvodynia. It does take the edge off,and the pain is not as intense as it used to be, but still continuing sadly. It did take away my sleep paralysis episodes,and sleep hallucinations, amazing for sleep too.Its a great drug, its the only one I can tolerate, I tried amytriptyline and all the SSRI's but the side effects been horrendous,and had a devastating effect on my functioning.The only effects imipramine have on me is some dizziness and drowsiness during the day, fast heart rate, and mild loss of libido, but other than these I feel its very useful with pain and sleep.The first few days expect nausea,and somnolence."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2009

Tofranil (imipramine) for Depression "At first this medicine seemed great. Was taking it for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. After a week on the lowest dose I started having bad side effects. I was shaving one morning and noticed my face, lips and arm felt numb. Doctor reduced my dosage to 10mg that worked okay for a week then same side effects."