Prescription medication · Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
desipramine
Also sold as Norpramin. Desipramine is used to treat depression.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 1,275
- FDA reportsRarely reported
- 18
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
desipramine (Norpramin) is a prescription Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (1,275 FDA reports), with 18 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
desipramine (Norpramin) is a prescription Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA). Desipramine is used to treat depression.
Desipramine is a medicine used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
desipramine is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Avet Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.11/unit
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
NADAC price trail: DESIPRAMINE 10 MG TABLET
Same CMS presentation as the headline generic unit price above (2 effective dates). Adjacent % compares consecutive NADAC releases for this description only, not a patient out-of-pocket quote. Latest step: -10.1% vs prior release.
| Effective | NADAC / unit | vs prior | NDCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 21, 2024 | $0.1171/EA | - | 1 |
| December 18, 2024 | $0.1053/EA | -10.1% | 6 |
What it does
Desipramine is used to treat depression.
Common side effects
Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dry mouth
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from desipramine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Desipramine works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. It helps to increase the levels of norepinephrine. This can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,275 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for desipramine, by number of reports
- Fatigue
Fatigue
119 reports
- Completed Suicide
Completed Suicide
116 reports
- Nausea
Nausea
77 reports
- Headache
Headache
70 reports
- Weight Increased
Weight Increased
68 reports
- Dizziness
Dizziness
63 reports
- Toxicity To Various Agents
Toxicity To Various Agents
60 reports
- Pain
Pain
59 reports
- Arthralgia
Arthralgia
58 reports
- Dyspnoea
Dyspnoea
53 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for desipramine each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where desipramine sits
desipramine has more FDA adverse-event reports than 8% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is desipramine; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,275 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,275
Reports Mentioning Death
217
17.0% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
341
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | FATIGUE | 119 |
| 3 | COMPLETED SUICIDE | 116 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 77 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 70 |
| 6 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 68 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 63 |
| 9 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 60 |
| 10 | PAIN | 59 |
| 11 | ARTHRALGIA | 58 |
| 13 | DYSPNOEA | 53 |
| 14 | DYSPNOEA EXERTIONAL | 46 |
| 15 | ANXIETY | 43 |
| 16 | DEPRESSION | 43 |
| 17 | DIARRHOEA | 43 |
| 18 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 42 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults. Watch for worsening depression, unusual behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Desipramine is not approved for use in children.
Known Drug Interactions
CYP2D6 Substrate (e.g., Desipramine) — Coadministration of atomoxetine (40 or 60 mg BID for 13 days) with desipramine, a model compound for CYP2D6 metabolized drugs (single dose of 50 mg), did not alter the pharmacokinetics of desipramine.
Mechanism: Atomoxetine does not change how the body processes desipramine, even though both drugs use the same liver enzyme.
( 7.1 ) Drugs metabolized by CYP2D6: Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and can increase concentrations of: antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline), antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), and Type 1C antiarrhythmics (e.g., propafenone, flecainide). Such drugs include certain antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline), antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, and thioridazine), beta-blockers...
Mechanism: Bupropion interferes with the way your body breaks down desipramine, causing the drug to stay in your system longer.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline ↑ amitriptyline ↑ desipramine ↑ imipramine ↑ nortriptyline Use a lower dose of the tricyclic antidepressants and trazodone due to potential increased adverse events such as nausea, dizziness, hypotension and syncope.
Mechanism: Darunavir slows down the process your body uses to get rid of desipramine, leading to higher levels of the drug in your blood.
Examples desipramine, atomoxetine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine 7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with PRISTIQ Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment is required for drugs that are mainly metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., midazolam), or for drugs that are metabolized by both CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 (e.g., tamoxifen, aripiprazole), when administered concomitantly with PRISTIQ [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Desvenlafaxine may interfere with the way your body breaks down desipramine, potentially leading to higher levels of the medication in your blood.
Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline.
Mechanism: This drug makes your body more sensitive to dopamine's effects on the heart and blood pressure. It prevents the body from soaking up chemicals that dopamine works with, making the effect stronger.
This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking desipramine suddenly?
How long does it take for desipramine to work?
Can I drink alcohol while taking desipramine?
What should I do if I overdose on desipramine?
Can desipramine cause weight gain?
Is desipramine addictive?
Can I take desipramine with other medications?
What if I have side effects?
Can older adults take desipramine?
Can I drive while taking desipramine?
What are the common side effects of desipramine?
Does desipramine interact with other medications?
What drug class is desipramine?
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for desipramine?
Has desipramine been recalled?
Is desipramine currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc
CGMP Deviations: N-Nitroso Desipramine impurity exceeding the permissible acceptable daily intake level.
Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc
Related Medications in Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
Other drugs grouped near desipramine - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with desipramine →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with desipramine →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with desipramine →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with desipramine →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with desipramine →
Compare beyond drug class
Nationwide peers by FAERS volume & death-report share
Two PlainMeds-derived comparison paths for desipramine: nearest FDA FAERS report volume and nearest death-report share among drugs with at least 1,000 logged reports, excluding same-class neighbors listed above. Counts reflect reporting volume, not proven individual harm.
Similar FAERS report volume
Nearest drugs by total FAERS reports. This record: 1,275.
Similar death-report share
Nearest drugs by FAERS death-report share. This record: 17.02%.
- dapagliflozin Δ 0.01 pts · 50,521 reports · SGLT2 Inhibitor 17.03%death share
- abiraterone Δ 0.01 pts · 12,794 reports · CYP17 Inhibitor 17.01%death share
- ceftriaxone Δ 0.18 pts · 31,340 reports · Third-Generation Cephalosporin 17.20%death share
- amiodarone Δ 0.26 pts · 10,687 reports · Class III Antiarrhythmic 17.28%death share
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for desipramine
The FDA label for desipramine (sold under brand names such as Norpramin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Desipramine is used to treat depression. Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dry mouth.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,275 voluntary reports. The database also lists 18 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.
Last updated: December 9, 2025
PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages