Apo-Desipramine

Apo-Desipramine Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Apo-Desipramine hydrochloride is a dibenzazepine-derivative tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). TCAs are structurally similar to phenothiazines. They contain a tricyclic ring system with an alkyl amine substituent on the central ring. In non-depressed individuals, desipramine does not affect mood or arousal, but may cause sedation. In depressed individuals, desipramine exerts a positive effect on mood. TCAs are potent inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Secondary amine TCAs, such as desipramine and nortriptyline, are more potent inhibitors of norepinephrine reuptake than tertiary amine TCAs, such as amitriptyline and doxepine. TCAs also down-regulate cerebral cortical β-adrenergic receptors and sensitize post-synaptic serotonergic receptors with chronic use. The antidepressant effects of TCAs are thought to be due to an overall increase in serotonergic neurotransmission. TCAs also block histamine-H1 receptors, α1-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic receptors, which accounts for their sedative, hypotensive and anticholinergic effects (e.g. blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention), respectively. See toxicity section below for a complete listing of side effects. Apo-Desipramine exerts less anticholinergic and sedative side effects compared to tertiary amine TCAs, such as amitriptyline and clomipramine. Apo-Desipramine may be used to treat depression, neuropathic pain (unlabeled use), agitation and insomnia (unlabeled use) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (unlabeled use).

Apo-Desipramine, a secondary amine tricyclic antidepressant, is structurally related to both the skeletal muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine and the thioxanthene antipsychotics such as thiothixene. It is the active metabolite of imipramine, a tertiary amine TCA. The acute effects of desipramine include inhibition of noradrenaline re-uptake at noradrenergic nerve endings and inhibition of serotonin (5-hydroxy tryptamine, 5HT) re-uptake at the serotoninergic nerve endings in the central nervous system. Apo-Desipramine exhibits greater noradrenergic re-uptake inhibition compared to the tertiary amine TCA imipramine. In addition to inhibiting neurotransmitter re-uptake, desipramine down-regulates beta-adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex and sensitizes serotonergic receptors with chronic use. The overall effect is increased serotonergic transmission. Antidepressant effects are typically observed 2 - 4 weeks following the onset of therapy though some patients may require up to 8 weeks of therapy prior to symptom improvement. Patients experiencing more severe depressive episodes may respond quicker than those with mild depressive symptoms.

Apo-Desipramine
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Apo-Desipramine
Availability	Prescription only
Generic	Desipramine
Desipramine Other Names	Déméthylimipramine, Desipramin, Desipramina, Desipramine, Désipramine, Desipraminum, Desmethylimipramine, Monodemethylimipramine, Norimipramine
Related Drugs	Rexulti, sertraline, trazodone, Lexapro, Zoloft, citalopram, Cymbalta
Type
Formula	C₁₈H₂₂N₂
Weight	Average: 266.3807 Monoisotopic: 266.178298714
Protein binding	73-92% bound to plasma proteins
Groups	Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country	Canada, United States
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Apo-Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used in the treatment of depression.

For relief of symptoms in various depressive syndromes, especially endogenous depression. It has also been used to manage chronic peripheral neuropathic pain, as a second line agent for the management of anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder), and as a second or third line agent in the ADHD management.

Apo-Desipramine is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa, Depression, Diabetic Neuropathies, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Neuropathic Pain, Pain, Chronic, Panic Disorder, Postherpetic Neuralgia

How Apo-Desipramine works

Apo-Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that selectively blocks reuptake of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from the neuronal synapse. It also inhibits serotonin reuptake, but to a lesser extent compared to tertiary amine TCAs such as imipramine. Inhibition of neurotransmitter reuptake increases stimulation of the post-synaptic neuron. Chronic use of desipramine also leads to down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex and sensitization of serotonergic receptors. An overall increase in serotonergic transmission likely confers desipramine its antidepressant effects. Apo-Desipramine also possesses minor anticholinergic activity, through its affinity for muscarinic receptors. TCAs are believed to act by restoring normal levels of neurotransmitters via synaptic reuptake inhibition and by increasing serotonergic neurotransmission via serotonergic receptor sensitization in the central nervous system.

Toxicity

Male mice: LD50 = 290 mg/kg, female rats: LD50 = 320 mg/kg. Antagonism of the histamine H₁ and α₁ receptors can lead to sedation and hypotension. Antimuscarinic activity confers anticholinergic side effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation and urine retention may occur. Cardiotoxicity may occur with high doses of desipramine. Cardiovascular side effects in postural hypotension, tachycardia, hypertension, ECG changes and congestive heart failure. Psychotoxic effects include impaired memory and delirium. Induction of hypomanic or manic episodes may occur in patients with a history of bipolar disorder. Withdrawal symptoms include GI disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, headache and malaise.

Food Interaction

Avoid alcohol.
Limit caffeine intake.
Take with food. Food reduces irritation.

Apo-Desipramine Alcohol interaction

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID:

Concomitant use of ethanol and a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) may result altered TCA plasma levels and efficacy, and additive impairment of motor skills, especially driving skills.

Acute ethanol ingestion may inhibit TCA metabolism, while chronic ingestion of large amounts of ethanol may induce hepatic TCA metabolism.

Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during TCA therapy.

Alcoholics who have undergone detoxification should be monitored for decreased TCA efficacy.

Dosage adjustments may be required.

Apo-Desipramine Drug Interaction

Major: duloxetine, duloxetineModerate: aripiprazole, aripiprazole, amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, clonazepam, clonazepam, pregabalin, pregabalin, levothyroxine, levothyroxine, alprazolam, alprazolamUnknown: cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol

Elimination Route

Apo-Desipramine hydrochloride is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism. Peak plasma concentrations are attained 4 - 6 hours following oral administration.