fluoxetine vs imipramine
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Side-by-side comparison of fluoxetine and imipramine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) — In 2 studies, previously stable plasma levels of imipramine and desipramine have increased greater than 2- to 10-fold when fluoxetine has been administered in combination.
Prozac, Sarafem
Tofranil
Fluoxetine is a medicine that can help treat depression and other mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Imipramine (Tofranil) is a medicine used to treat depression and bedwetting in children. It helps improve mood and reduce bedwetting episodes.
Fluoxetine can treat major depressive disorder in adults and children. It also treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children. Fluoxetine can help with bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and panic disorder. Sometimes, it is used with another medicine called olanzapine to treat depression related to bipolar disorder.
This medicine can help relieve the symptoms of depression. It may work better for some types of depression than others. Imipramine can also be used to help reduce bedwetting in children 6 years and older, but only after a doctor has ruled out other possible causes.
Fluoxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluoxetine can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, OCD, and other conditions.
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing the levels of certain natural chemicals in the brain that help regulate mood. For bedwetting, it's thought to affect bladder control.
- • Abnormal dreams
- • Problems ejaculating
- • Loss of appetite
- • Feeling anxious
- • Feeling weak
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Constipation
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- Drug Interaction 3,335
- Toxicity To Various Agents 3,316
- Nausea 3,233
- Fatigue 3,156
- Completed Suicide 2,904
- Dizziness 35
- Fatigue 30
- Hypertension 29
- Anxiety 28
- Depression 28
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior. Fluoxetine is not approved for use in children younger than 7 years old.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluoxetine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking fluoxetine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This medicine may not be safe for you or your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
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How to Read This fluoxetine vs imipramine Comparison
fluoxetine is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drug class, while imipramine sits within the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fluoxetine has 15,944 submissions while imipramine has 150. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to fluoxetine prevents your body from breaking down imipramine normally. this can cause imipramine to build up to very high and potentially unsafe levels in your system.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for fluoxetine or imipramine.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.