Imipramine and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• con...
• January 24, 2010

Imipramine for Depression "I suffered from depression on and off till I was 33. My doctor prescribed a couple of medicines without success. Tried Tofranil because my mother took it in the late 1950s. 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 100 mg, so went up to 250 mg, then 200 mg. Some small price side effects include dry mouth (gum, Tic Tac remedy). The medicine makes you sleepy about 2 hours after ingestion. Get ready for a good night's 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 25 years ago."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2009

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 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."

• 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 SSRIs. 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."

• 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 (whom I was bringing up with the help of a full-time nanny while I was at work and unwell - she was an angel). I was terrified the sun would never shine again. Then my GP hospitalized me, and I was introduced to imipramine at 200 mg a day in two split doses. Initially, it totally knocked me out - no other side effects, though, then the dose was reduced to 150 mg a day, then 75 mg a day. I began to feel 'me' again - fit, bothered about my appearance, wanting to socialize, really optimistic about the future, and confident that I could cope. I returned home on 75 mg 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 I 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!"

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

For Pain "I was prescribed this medication for chronic widespread muscle pain (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. It's a great drug, it's the only one I can tolerate. I tried amitriptyline and all the SSRIs, but the side effects have been horrendous and had a devastating effect on my functioning. The only effects imipramine has on me are some dizziness and drowsiness during the day, fast heart rate, and mild loss of libido, but other than these, I feel it's very useful with pain and sleep. The first few days expect nausea and somnolence."

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

For Pain "I was prescribed this medication for chronic widespread muscle pain (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. It's a great drug, it's the only one I can tolerate. I tried amitriptyline and all the SSRIs, but the side effects have been horrendous and had a devastating effect on my functioning. The only effects imipramine has on me are some dizziness and drowsiness during the day, fast heart rate, and mild loss of libido, but other than these, I feel it's very useful with pain and sleep. The first few days expect nausea and somnolence."

• Mis...
• June 4, 2015

For Depression "Only been on it about 6 weeks and only up to 30 mg. Moods are a little better so far, but insomnia, hello. I'm lucky to get 3 or 4 hours a night. I don't get how all of you sleep. I used to fall right asleep with my Topamax at night. Now he has me taking my gabapentin, Topamax, and imipramine at bedtime, optional Ativan too, but then I wake up groggy, defeating the purpose of a great mood in the AM. Hmm, maybe my meds don't play nice together at night, lol. I do get the dry mouth, I really hate that, but it has improved my morning moods, which is what we were going for. I do have anxiety, and it doesn't help with a quick onset. I am hopeful for this med as I have tried just about everything out there!"

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Great. It's better than amitriptyline in case of side effects, i.e., confusion, sedation, etc."