Posted by Elizabeth on March 23, 2002, at 14:10:22
In reply to Question for Elizabeth... , posted by Lia Mason on March 22, 2002, at 21:36:26
> I'm curious... (cuz I'm trying to tolerate imipramine and feeling tired) You say desipramine is the only one you tolerated. Did you try imipramine? I've been led to believe they're so similar that if i don't tolerate imipramine, it's not worth a try at desipramine.
They're chemically very similar: desipramine is the N-demethylated metabolite of imipramine. Pharmacologically they're very different. Desipramine is relatively selective as a NE reuptake inhibitor, whereas imipramine has more effect on serotonin. Imipramine also blocks several other receptor types that aren't affected by desipramine: H1 (histaminic), M1 (cholinergic), and alpha1 (adrenergic) receptors. The receptor blockade is responsible for a number of the side effects of tricyclic ADs: sedation, weight gain, constipation, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, etc. What side effects did you experience on imipramine?
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:99075
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/99658.html