Imipramine for Panic Disorder User Reviews

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

Tofranil (imipramine) "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 doctor 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 doctors don't or won't try it. Newer is not always better."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2011

Tofranil (imipramine) "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."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2009

Tofranil (imipramine) "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 60s, 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 homebound. 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."

• Air...
• March 9, 2015

"I am currently active duty in the military and suffer from severe panic attacks and depression. I've been put on several different medications including Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and others. All helped a little but only for an hour or so, so I was taking them constantly. Imipramine 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."

• Cha...
• March 27, 2017

"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!"

• Sex...
• April 22, 2016

"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 it's been years. I'm now 72, and I haven't noticed any bad reactions to the medication."

• Jo2...
• June 27, 2010

Tofranil (imipramine) "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 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 put me back on it as it really worked."

• BKa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2020

"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."

• Ash...
• December 22, 2011

"I started at 25 mg and slowly made my way up to 125 mg. 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). The only side effect I had was a dry mouth after >100 mg dosages - it is pretty annoying but it's not that bad. Another 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 it for bad panic attack sufferers."

• ita...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

"- First 4 days of imipramine @50mg I would have odd outer body-type experiences just before falling asleep, created more panic. - 2nd and 3rd week I could feel my panic fighting against the medication, I thought it may be starting to work. By the second month I was going to the bathroom only once a week, yes, the constipation is real. I had a full body cold shiver which took up 90% of my day, restless leg while trying to sleep, problems urinating, and my anxiety was back. You would think only on a month and a half I can stop, NO, had to taper off, next, everyone will react differently."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

"Within the first day, I noticed a large improvement in my panic disorder as well as my ADHD, which I am already being treated for with Zenzedi, but that has been getting worse as my panic disorder began resurfacing from years past due to personal circumstances. Very effective medicine for panic disorder. Also, for PTSD, I found relief."

• Dmo...
• March 12, 2017

"I have had awesome results with this drug, after going through a rough year being taken on and off of medications that almost ruined my life. My doctor has been sending me to check my blood levels, and they seem to keep going up. I was taking 200 mg at night, and he dropped it to 175 mg. It took 3 weeks to start feeling withdrawal, and it was awful. He then increased it back to 200 mg, and my imipramine levels are higher than they have ever been. I am scared he is going to reduce or try to put me on another drug. Anyone ever had problems with blood levels of imipramine?"

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2023

"Suffered from panic attacks and was given imipramine for treatment… it worked and stopped the attacks, giving me time to learn how to deal with them. I had to stop as I was unable to take the medicine and hold a CDL. I have been free for many years, and the drug worked as expected."

• jse...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 18, 2021

"People are so different! I've been on Imipramine/Tofranil now for 44 years. It literally saved my life and career. Endogenous (from within) not Reactive Anxiety/Panic/Depressive Disorder from my mom set in around 19 years old. Periodically, I would quit only to get slammed and take months to get better again. Then I tried the new stuff, Prozac."

• ANO...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 6, 2025

"I had my first panic attack at 18. I suffered with agoraphobia for 20 years. I have been on imipramine for 40 years and have a wonderful, full life, panic-free. I will never go off of it. I actually refer to it as Saint imipramine. Good luck, it's a great medicine."

• HRW...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2025

"Dramatic and long-lasting suppression of panic disorder with very low dose Tofranil: 10-25 mg QD. No apparent side effects at this low dosage, but full benefit. Can be taken QHS to avoid early morning panic attacks. Dosage may vary from person to person."

• Sam...
• August 1, 2013

Tofranil (imipramine) "Nightmares, hard to sleep."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2016

"Helps with the panic disorder. But I haven't slept in 3 days. Is this medication a stimulant?"

• Jus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2024

"I feel in my case, and I have bad panic disorder, that this medication works just as well as benzos do."

• Not...
• December 6, 2016

"Very bad side effects on day 6, and I have to stop taking. Nausea all the time. Headaches. Dizziness. Nervousness. Tired constantly. On a very low dose."

• Spe...
• February 12, 2017

"Did not work, only made me very tired."