How safe is imipramine?

[Bob_S]

Hello

I was recently prescribed 75mg of imipramine daily after trying several different antidepressants to no avail.  I am very wary of taking a tricyclic because of what I have read about, their side-effects profile and so on.  I am pre-hypertensive, and take 40mg of lisinopril daily, as well as 50mg of tenormin for anxiety.  I have been on the imipramine for 2 days now and have experienced no discernible side effects.  Other than the side effects, is there anything else that makes tricyclics less desirable than SSRIs?  Is there anything else I should worry about, such as developing an arrhythmia or something (are TCAs safe for long term use)?  I am nervous to go about my normal routine, such as working out.  Should I be safe working out?  I suppose most of the questions I have are due to the somewhat bad rep TCAs have gotten, but if I can tolerate them, they should be okay, right?    

[LeftCoastChick]

You should check with your phamacist or doctor. I don'r remember having any issues when i was a kid. You could even good drug reactions to the med :)

[Bob_S]

Thanks for the comment, I have been doing well on the med.  I do have allergies though, and I was wondering if it is okay to take a TCA and something like Claritin.  Does anyone know if there are any interactions?  thanks!  

[LeftCoastChick]

I think tricyclics have been given a bad rap, I was on disipramine as a teen, and it worked well, no noticeable side effects and I was extremely active, I swam 7 days a week, plus a lot of out of water training. I personally don't like the SSRI category of meds, I've had a multitude of side effects from them. If they don't work, either someone is moved over to a TCA, or a mood stabilizer. I would suggest speaking with your pharmacist and/or your psychiatrist if you are worried about affects on your BP. You aren't fully hypertensive, I wouldn't think any professional pharmacist would give you a med that interacts with the meds you are on, I know in Canada there are strict guidelines.