Tofranil is a brand name of the antidepressant medication imipramine. It is used primarily to treat major depression in adults and bed-wetting in children, but is also sometimes used to treat panic disorderobsessive-compulsive disorder.
Imipramine was the first tricyclic antidepressant to be developed, back in the 1950s. Although more recently developed antidepressants are now generally considered the first line of treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, imipramine is still in use today and is sometimes used as a treatment for panic disorder or treatment-resistant depression.
Tofranil is available in a number of different dosages. When prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, the initial dosage of Tofranil is generally 25 mg three times per day. Your doctor will gradually increase the dose until you find a level that is well-tolerated and effective. The dose may be increased up to 150-200 mg per day, but a typical maintenance dose will fall between 50 and 100 mg daily. After you have arrived at the appropriate dosage, the entire day’s dose of Tofranil may be taken at once at bedtime.
As with most medications, Tofranil has a variety of possible side effects. These include dizziness, drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure associated with dizziness after standing up), tachycardia, diarrhea, dry mouth, and urinary retention. In addition, and of particular note for those taking Tofranil for anxiety, the medication may cause an increase in anxiety symptoms during the initial few weeks of treatment.
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