New Warning Added to Desipramine

According to Sanofi-Aventis, maker of the antidepressant desipramine (Norpramin), a new warning have been added to the drug's label indicating that the drug may be potentially lethal in patients with a family history of certain heart conditions. In addition, new language regarding overdosage has been added.The drug maker has issued a "Dear Healthcare Provider" letter describing these new changes in labeling, although no explanation has been given as to what prompted the changes.

The letter urges doctors to use extreme caution in prescribing desipramine to patients with a familial history of sudden death, cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac conduction disturbances. It also notes that seizures may occur prior to cardiac dysrhythmias and death.

Regarding overdose, the label now includes additional information about signs of and treatment of overdose.

The full letter is available through the FDA's website.

[ILADVOCATE]

Warnings about adverse side effects should always be taken seriously by a doctor or psychiatrist but for a consumer should just be noted. With some atypical antipsychotics there is the potential of heart arrythmia. With a class of anti-convulsants, some of which are used as mood stabilizers, there is the potential of suicidal ideations. As happens I take one of them that is experimental use for dystonic spasms and showing mood stabilizer properties in me and I have not experienced this side effect. However I did with Keppra and I was taking off it. With Topomax (topamax) there is the rare potential of Barrett's esophogitis. However, if a person who develops gastritis stops it then that most likely not occur. It did with a friend of mine becuase he said he "would rather not read the side profile for a medication because he would be afraid he would get it". I took Topomax (topamax) and got stomach pains and was taken off it because I knew about that. He agreed afterwards that it didn't make sense to ignore side effects or not read up on them. Nor does it make sense to panic about it or be afraid to take a specific medication. It does make sense to discuss it with your psychiatrist and understand it and they can tell you what to do from there. Thanks for posting this.