Desipramine User Reviews & Ratings

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2014

Desipramine for Depression "I have spent years going through one antidepressant after another. I even did ECT treatments, and nothing worked. My psychiatrist then put me on desipramine, and I have never looked back. I have energy, I can concentrate, get out of bed, and function for the first time in years. I've been taking it for 6 months now and have not had to increase the dosage, either. It was truly a godsend."

• Dok...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2013

Desipramine for Depression "Desipramine has worked wonders for me. After many years on and off of various medications that would - at best, if they worked at all - help briefly and degenerate into vicious side effects, this one worked like a charm. The only downside is that it is so innocuous that it's easy to get used to the improvement; since the improvements, it can be tempting to consider oneself 'better' and discontinue prematurely. Fortunately, there are no discontinuation effects, and the only side effect I have experienced is slight photosensitivity."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2011

For Depression "I had taken many SSRI antidepressants and none helped my depression. I finally insisted that I try something different. Desipramine works on norepinephrine, and that made a big difference. My apathy was gone, no severe anxiety like I'd had from Prozac and Paxil. I knew it was working when I started cleaning my house even though my mood had not improved yet. SSRIs may be newer but not better."

• 112...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2016

Desipramine for Depression "I did so well on this medication! But I can no longer afford it. The generic version I was paying $280 a month. I have since changed to Effexor and now I'm on Zoloft, and neither one works as well. I had been on this since 1986, but had to change last November because of the cost. I miss it so much."

• EAG...
• November 29, 2011

For Depression "To treat depression, I have been on Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, and Cymbalta. None worked as well as desipramine. I have been taking 30mg of desipramine combined with 50mg of Zoloft, and I feel much better. It took a few weeks of ups and downs before it really kicked in."

• Joa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 15, 2016

Desipramine for Depression "I took this drug for over 20 years. It worked extremely well for me. Dry mouth was my only side effect. I was told by my pharmacy they could no longer get it. I took the generic for a while, but it never worked as well. I was surprised to read others have taken it recently. How sad something that worked so well for many is hard to get. I would switch back in a heartbeat."

• Mrs...
• April 9, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had irritable bowels ever since I was a young teenager, and I just couldn't figure out what was exactly wrong. I thought it was menstrual related. I suffered for years until I was about 40 years old, dealing with cramps in my bowels (lower abdominal area). I realized after I had a hysterectomy that it wasn't my endometriosis, I still had this cramps feeling every day! :( I started taking desipramine, a fiber pill (Citrucel), and a probiotic (Align), and I haven't had hardly any issues! I am like 95% better. Sometimes, if I feel a little crampy, I drink a Moroccan mint tea, and it settles things down really quick. I got lazy one week about taking this regimen, and I got so irritated. So I know it works, and I'm sticking with it."

• Chl...
• April 27, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have IBS and am trying to follow the FODMAP diet, which is very difficult and limiting. I began to take just 5 mg of Desipramine a week ago and haven't had any IBS symptoms. Are other people using the FODMAP diet? If Desipramine quiets the symptoms of IBS, I would love to get off the FODMAP diet because of the strict limitations. Thanks for any feedback."

• GER...
• May 3, 2017

For Depression "I was really surprised to see a post from Joanzie (taken for 10 years or more) November 15, 2016, today when she indicated her pharmacy could no longer get it. I have taken desipramine (generic is Norpramin) for nearly 10 years now and have no problems getting it. Amneal makes 10 mg pills, but I am now switching to 50 mg. LGM Pharma makes it, but I'm sure there are others. I have used it since 911, as it really did a number on me. If I forget to take it, I know it, as I end up in la-la land, as my head just feels like it is detached from my body. As long as I take the drug when prescribed, I'm steady Eddie!"

• 70c...
• July 13, 2008

For Depression "I found it to be the best medicine for me. I was put on several newer antidepressants, and I hated side effects, especially weight loss. I am a very physical person who struggles to keep weight on, and this helps me in this situation also."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2023

For Depression "I have taken desipramine antidepressant for a certain time after I have tried many other different antidepressants from other antidepressant classes or groups like SSRI and SNRI and found out that desipramine antidepressant was working very well for my severe depression, and I started feeling in a good mood and relaxed, and even it did help me with my social phobia, and I was able to sleep better with this medication and concentrate better, really. But I’ve stopped it because of some side effects, switched to another class of antidepressants, and did not feel better at all. Then again, I went back to desipramine because I found out that it helps much more than other antidepressants do and decided to stay on it even though it causes some side effects because most antidepressants also cause lots of side effects that are really serious, not just tricyclic antidepressants but also the SSRI and SNRI. All of them cause and have lots of side effects, so I preferred to stay on desipramine instead."

• ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 8, 2017

For Depression "I have had trouble sleeping all my life. Too much REM sleep and waking exhausted. In my 30s, I was placed on a regimen of desipramine and trazodone. They worked well together, but I quickly developed a tolerance and had to stop taking them. In the intervening years, I tried seemingly every other antidepressant to try to get the same effect, but nothing worked. Finally, I demanded these two drugs from a young doctor who had never heard of them. After consulting with an older physician, he allowed me to have them, and I have created a three-week regimen that keeps me from building tolerance. I take a small dose of 6 mg desipramine every other day (it works for 2 days but not 3). After two weeks, I do a week of 50 mg trazodone, allowing my body to 'forget' the desipramine. And in 2 weeks, it 'forgets' the trazodone."

• Bob...
• September 10, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had IBS all of my life and have tried many things, and none of them did anything for my IBS. I started taking it as my doctor said it is a side benefit of this drug, which was not intended for IBS. It works very well. I used to go to the bathroom 3-5 times a day with frequent diarrhea, now I go just once or even every other day, and no diarrhea or bloating. I only use 25 mg, as more gives me constipation."

• Luc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 18, 2017

For Depression "I’ve been taking desipramine (the generic from Actavis) for depression since 2003, returning to it after trying many other meds. It’s the only one that helped, although high doses caused shortness of breath, low back pain, nightmares, stress, and anxiety. The key has been finding the correct dose. An important discovery was that chocolate produces a synergistic effect. Taking it in the evening right after a large serving of dark chocolate and 10 ounces of milk allows me to keep the dose and prescription costs low. It’s not nearly as effective without chocolate during the day. But a problem is that it’s addictive. Increasing the dose made me more depressed, but going down improved my mood, so finding the optimal one has been difficult."

• Scu...
• October 5, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Have tried all families of the tricyclics and Xifaxan for my IBS-D. Desipramine is the only medication that has helped and continues to provide relief. It takes about a month to start working and gets better and better over time. The only side effect is trouble sleeping, and it does have an odd effect on my testicles, which makes them feel tight. However, for IBS-D, this is the only med that works. I take Imodium as well when I am having a bad day or before a big event, and this calms my nerves because Imodium always helps. After about 3 months on desipramine, Imodium is no longer needed."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My doctor prescribed this to me about 3 weeks ago. I had severe abdominal pain in my upper right quadrant that he is attributing to IBS. I have had no decrease in my pain levels while eating or my ambient pain levels. The diarrhea that I've had for the past 9 months stopped abruptly, ending in constipation. I've had panic attacks, mood swings, I'm already prone to suicidal ideation, so I don't know how much it's actually affected that, but it's present. I don't really have restful sleep anymore. Nobody can help me."

• So...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Been on a tiny dose for two weeks, 10 mgs, and it has helped! The top GI doctor at the hospital recommended it. I have had no side effects, and my pain is down by at least 60-70 percent. I am eating anything I want, too."

• mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2016

For Depression "One of the best-responding antidepressants I've ever taken. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking it because my resting heart rate went up to ≥ 100 bpm while on this medication (could've been interacting adversely with my Dexedrine). But wow, what a response I had! It started responding just a few weeks after increasing it to 75 mg, and it seemed to really bring me out of my cocoon at 100 mg-125 mg. That was the highest I ever got to try before realizing what was going on with my heart and subsequently having to back down on the dosage. My positive response diminished, and I had gained a bunch of weight anyway, so we decided to switch meds."

• xca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was put on this medication for irritable bowel syndrome and nausea. It did nothing for my symptoms, and after a few weeks, I realized how depressed I was. I would start crying over the littlest things and felt extremely negative. Use with caution, it can really affect your mind!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "So I just started desipramine for IBS 25 mg 2 weeks ago. While I am sure that it is helping my IBS, I have had some very serious issues with taking this medication because I was also on Cymbalta (30 mg) and Trazodone (75 mg). My gastro doc knew I was taking these other antidepressants when he prescribed the desipramine for the IBS. On day 6 of taking all three of these drugs, I started experiencing SSRI syndrome. They immediately took me off the Cymbalta and the Trazodone, and now I am suffering major withdrawal symptoms. Has anyone else had this happen to them? How long before the Cymbalta and Trazodone get out of my system for good?"

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2010

For Vulvodynia "My wife was suffering with vulvodynia for almost two years because we had difficulty finding a doctor who actually understood this condition. When we finally did, my wife was given prescriptions for desipramine and clonazepam. Within a short span of time, she experienced a significant improvement. While she still experiences some 'flares,' the pain is never severe. She has since located a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor disorders and expects that adding this treatment will take her even further along the road to recovery."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2016

For Vulvodynia "My daughter suffered with vulvodynia for 2 years as a child at 5 years old. After seeing numerous doctors, she saw a doctor at the University of Michigan who prescribed desipramine. It worked immediately and it was 100% effective. After 2 years of treatment, my daughter was fine and the vulvodynia never returned."

• Bes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Looking for an alternative, but there was a time when I would have killed to find this. I noticed effects at the lowest dose and no more diarrhea now: 10 mg in the morning, 50 at night. Helps anxiety and is better than SSRI (took before) which helped psychosomatic. With this, too much equals constipation (!!) Alcohol, pizza, extreme grease equals still diarrhea. Occasionally I will stop for a weekend or days, because of sexual side effects: NOT as bad as SSRI. But less interest in sex, lack of sensation leading up to orgasm. Can orgasm, but not the same level. (I'm female). Compared to life without it though? It's a lifesaver and I am normal again. Mostly. [Also take Wellbutrin 450 and Clonazepam 0.5x2. Wellbutrin helps with sexual effects (+lose weight and more energy, social).] Plus, so cheap."

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been on this med for three weeks and have really found it helpful for IBS-D. I am also following the FODMAP diet mostly. The diet is really helpful to know which foods are triggers. Now I am having trouble without diarrhea, I have a bowel motion up to three times a day. Dry mouth is so far the only side effect. I also got an extreme sunburn when, in normal circumstances, I would not have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2016

For ADHD "This drug seemed to help my pain, although the side effects I experienced outweighed the relief. I started with one 10 mg tablet per day for one week. On the second week, I increased to 20 mg per day. At the end of the second week, I noticed a difference in pain. I was having stomach aches, dizziness, constipation, loss of appetite, and bodily shakiness, and my voice was weak and kind of hoarse. Although my pain was considerably less by the third week, I felt all I could do was lay and hope the terrible feelings I was having would go away. I was unable to even make it to work at all on the third week. My lips were dry, swollen, and I woke up to them cracked and bleeding."