imipramine vs norepinephrine
Side-by-side comparison of imipramine and norepinephrine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Avoid the use of preparations, such as decongestants and local anesthetics, that contain any sympathomimetic amine (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine), since it has been reported that tricyclic antidepressants can potentiate the effects of catecholamines.
Recommendation: Avoid using medicines that contain norepinephrine while you are taking imipramine.
Tofranil
Levophed
Imipramine (Tofranil) is a medicine used to treat depression and bedwetting in children. It helps improve mood and reduce bedwetting episodes.
Norepinephrine injection raises blood pressure in adults with very low blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called vasopressors.
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.
This medicine treats severe, sudden low blood pressure in adults. Low blood pressure can happen due to serious conditions. Norepinephrine helps to restore blood pressure to help blood flow to vital organs.
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.
Norepinephrine works by tightening blood vessels. This increases blood pressure. It helps to improve blood flow to your organs.
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Constipation
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- • High blood pressure
- • Slow heart rate
- • Anxiety
- • Headache
- • Trouble breathing
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 35
- Feeling very tired 30
- High blood pressure 29
- Feeling worried or nervous 28
- Feeling sad or hopeless 28
- Low blood pressure 1,011
- Sudden kidney damage 747
- Failure of multiple organs 652
- Poisoning from different substances 624
- Condition getting worse 560
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.
Norepinephrine can cause tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein. The medicine can also cause very low blood pressure if stopped suddenly. It may also cause irregular heartbeats, especially if you have heart problems. Allergic reactions are possible due to the sulfite ingredient.
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.
This medicine may be used during pregnancy if needed. Low blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
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How to Read This imipramine vs norepinephrine Comparison
imipramine is classified in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) drug class, while norepinephrine sits within the Vasopressor (Alpha-1 Agonist) 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, imipramine has 150 submissions while norepinephrine has 3,594. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to imipramine can make the effects of norepinephrine much stronger, which could lead to serious side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between imipramine and norepinephrine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.