Desipramine is a medication that helps many people manage depression and chronic pain, offering relief and a better quality of life. However, like many medications, there is a risk of desipramine addiction, especially if you take the medication for a long time or in higher doses than your prescription. Desipramine addiction can sneak up on you, causing real harm to your health and other parts of your life, so it is important to recognise the signs and understand the treatment options available.

What is desipramine?

Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that was first introduced in the 1960s. It works by affecting the balance of certain chemicals in the brain, particularly norepinephrine, which helps to improve mood and soothe symptoms of depression.

Desipramine is also sometimes prescribed for chronic pain, especially when other treatments haven’t been effective. It has also shown some promise in addiction treatment, particularly for cocaine, where it can potentially reduce cravings.

However, like all medications, desipramine comes with the risk of side effects and, in some cases, the potential for addiction itself, particularly if not taken as directed.

What is desipramine addiction?

Desipramine addiction happens when you become reliant on the medication on a physical and emotional level. You may start taking desipramine to manage depression or chronic pain, but over time, your body can get used to it, making you need more to feel the same effects.

Physically, your body can then start to depend on desipramine just to function normally. If you try to stop taking it, you will then experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be really tough to handle. Some common desipramine withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue

Emotionally, desipramine addiction can make you feel like you can’t cope with daily life without the drug. You may start feeling that the only way to manage your mood or pain is by taking more of the medication, even if it starts causing problems in other areas of your life.

The signs and symptoms of desipramine addiction

As with other forms of antidepressant addiction, desipramine addiction can be particularly tricky because it often starts with legitimate medical use. You may be taking it exactly as your doctor prescribed at first but then find yourself increasing the dosage on your own. It’s important to recognise the signs of desipramine addiction early and seek help to prevent long-term harm:

  • Taking more desipramine than prescribed or more frequently than directed by your doctor.
  • Constantly thinking about the next dose or how much desipramine you have left.
  • Trying to get more prescriptions by visiting different doctors.
  • Trying to stop taking desipramine but being unable to because of withdrawal symptoms or cravings.
  • Avoiding meeting friends and family and spending more time alone to use or recover from desipramine.
  • Feeling more anxious, irritable, or depressed when you’re not taking desipramine.
  • Spending a lot of money to get desipramine, sometimes at the expense of other important needs.

If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, reaching out for help is important. Early intervention can prevent the situation from worsening and give you a better chance of overcoming desipramine addiction.

Underlying causes of desipramine addiction

Desipramine addiction can happen to anyone who takes the medication, but certain factors can increase the risk. Understanding these causes can help you recognise why desipramine addiction might develop and what to watch out for:

Chronic pain

People with ongoing pain might start taking higher doses of desipramine to find relief, leading to dependence.

Mental health issues

Individuals dealing with depression or anxiety may misuse desipramine to manage their symptoms, increasing the risk of addiction.

History of substance abuse

If you or a close relative has struggled with addiction to other substances in the past, you may be more susceptible to desipramine addiction.

Stress and trauma

High levels of stress or a history of trauma can lead to self-medicating behaviours, including the misuse of prescription drugs like desipramine.

Lack of medical supervision

Without regular check-ins with your doctor, it is easy to start taking more desipramine than prescribed.

Peer pressure

In some cases, the influence of friends or family members who misuse prescription drugs can lead to your own misuse of desipramine.

The dangerous side effects of desipramine addiction

Desipramine addiction can have some serious consequences for both your body and mind and affect your relationships, career and education. Some of these consequences include:

Physical health effects
  • Heart problems: desipramine can cause issues like irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure, which can be very dangerous.
  • Weight changes: You may lose or gain a lot of weight, which can affect your physical and mental health. 
  • Stomach issues: Nausea, vomiting, and constipation are common and can get worse with long-term desipramine use.
  • Sleep problems: You may struggle with insomnia or feel excessively drowsy.
  • Seizures:  In severe cases, misusing desipramine can lead to seizures, which can be very dangerous.
  • Overdose: Taking too much desipramine can lead to an overdose, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms include severe drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Desipramine overdose requires immediate medical attention.
Mental health effects
  • Worsening depression: Instead of helping, misusing desipramine can actually make your depression worse.
  • Increased anxiety: You may also feel more anxious or restless for no obvious reason. 
  • Psychosis: In rare cases, long-term desipramine misuse can cause hallucinations, paranoia and other serious mental health issues.
  • Mood swings: These are common with both desipramine addiction and withdrawal.
  • Cognitive problems: You may have trouble with memory, concentration, and decision-making, which can make even simple tasks difficult.
Personal and social effects
  • Relationship strain: desipramine addiction can put a lot of stress on your relationships with family, friends and partners, with changes in your mood, behaviour and priorities all creating conflict and distance between you.
  • Career impact: Your work performance might suffer due to cognitive problems, mood swings and absenteeism. This can lead to job loss and major financial difficulties.
  • Academic challenges: If you are a student, desipramine addiction can make it hard to focus on your studies, attend classes and meet academic requirements. This can jeopardise your education and future opportunities.

Treatment for desipramine addiction

Various treatment programmes across the UK can provide the support you need to overcome desipramine addiction. Most treatment plans will involve a combination of drug detox, where your body is carefully weaned off desipramine to manage withdrawal symptoms safely, antidepressant rehab to help you understand and manage your addiction and relapse prevention to keep you sober in the long term.

How to access treatment for desipramine addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with desipramine addiction, it is important to know that you don’t have to face this alone. We can help you find the best treatment options for your needs and guide you on referring yourself to rehab. Remember, the sooner you seek help, the better your chances of achieving a full and lasting recovery. Asking for help is a courageous and important step, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

FAQ’s

What are other names for desipramine?
Desipramine is also known as desipramine hydrochloride and is under various brand names, including Norpramin, Irene, Nebril, Pertofran, Pertofrane, Norpramin and Petylyl.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • DrugBank. “Desipramine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action.” DrugBank, https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01151. Accessed 15 May 2024.
  • Drugs.com. “Desipramine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings.” Drugs.com, 12 June 2023, https://www.drugs.com/mtm/desipramine.html. Accessed 15 May 2024.
  • NCBI. “Desipramine – StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470581/. Accessed 15 May 2024.
  • McDowell, David et al. “Desipramine treatment of cocaine-dependent patients with depression: a placebo-controlled trial.” Drug and alcohol dependence vol. 80,2 (2005): 209-21. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.03.026