TRIPRESS
Trimipramine 25mg & 50mg Capsules
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about TRIPRESS. It does not
contain all the information available on this medicine. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and
benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using TRIPRESS against the
benefits expected it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using
this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.
What TRIPRESS is used for and how it works
Your TRIPRESS capsules contain trimipramine maleate. It belongs to a group of
medicines known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
TRIPRESS is used to treat depression. Depression is thought to be caused by a
chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This affects your whole body and can
cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of
interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating,
disturbed sleep, often waking up early, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and
feeling guilty over nothing. TRIPRESS works by correcting this chemical
imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of depression.
Your doctor may, however, prescribe TRIPRESS for another reason. Ask your
doctor if you have any questions about why TRIPRESS has been prescribed for you.
TRIPRESS is not recommended for use in children 12 years of age and under.
TRIPRESS is not recommended for use in adolescents (13-18 years of age) for the
treatment of depression, unless under the supervision of a specialist.
TRIPRESS is available on prescription from your doctor.
Before you take TRIPRESS
When you must not take it
Do not take TRIPRESS if:
- You are allergic to trimipramine, other tricyclic antidepressants or
any other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet - You are taking another medicine for depression called a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have been taking a MAOI within the last 14 days.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure as to whether or not you are
taking a MAOI - You have recently had a heart attack
- You have heart problems (any degree of heart block or an irregular
heart beat) - You suffer from mania (mood of excitement, over-activity and
uninhibited behaviour) - You have severe liver disease
- You are breastfeeding
- You suffer from raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
- You have difficulty passing urine (enlarged prostate gland)
- You suffer from epilepsy (fits).
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or
difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor if:
- You have had an allergic reaction to any medicine that you have taken
previously to treat your current condition - You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- You suffer from an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or are
receiving thyroid medication - You have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide in the past
- You have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Taking other medicines
If you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a
prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, tell your doctor
or pharmacist.
Medicines that may interfere with TRIPRESS include:
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (e.g. moclobemide, phenelzine,
tranylcypromine) - Other antidepressants (e.g. SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants)
- Antihypertensive Medication (used to lower blood pressure e.g.
guanethidine, debrisoquine) - Sympathomimetics, such as nasal decongestants (used for colds or
hay fever) - Anaesthetics
- Thyroid Hormone Medication
- Central Nervous System Depressants (e.g. barbiturates).
These medicines may be affected by TRIPRESS or may affect how well TRIPRESS
works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take
different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful
with or avoid while taking TRIPRESS.
How to take TRIPRESS properly
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how much TRIPRESS you need to take each day. It is
important that you take TRIPRESS as directed by your doctor. Do not take more
than the recommended dose.
It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks before any response to TRIPRESS is noticeable.
For Mild/Moderate Depression
The usual dose for an adult is 50-75mg of trimipramine a day, taken two hours
before bedtime. If necessary, your doctor may increase the dose.
For Moderate/Severe Depression
The usual starting dose for an adult is 75mg of trimipramine a day, taken as
a single dose late in the evening or as 25mg midday and 50mg late in the
evening. Your doctor may increase the dose if necessary to 150-300mg daily,
depending on your response to the medicine. Once you are feeling better, your
doctor may lower your dose to 75-150mg daily.
If you are elderly you may be started on a low dose of 10-25mg three times a
day. Your doctor may increase your dose if necessary, depending on your response
to the medicine.
Your doctor may tell you to take different doses to these. If so, follow
their instructions.
The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
How long to take it
For depression, the treatment is usually continued for at least six months to
prevent potential recurrence. You may not feel better immediately as most
antidepressants take time to work. Keep taking the capsules every day. Do not
stop taking TRIPRESS even if you begin to feel better, unless your doctor tells
you to do so. Make sure you do not run out of capsules.
If you forget a dose
If you forget a dose, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take
additional capsules to make up for missed doses.
Taking your medicine at the same time each day may help you to remember to
take it regularly. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask
your pharmacist for some hints.
While you are taking TRIPRESS
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are
taking TRIPRESS.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking TRIPRESS before you start
any new medicine.
Tell your doctor if you develop a skin rash or hives, or you become pregnant
while taking TRIPRESS.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you
are taking TRIPRESS.
If you are going to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are
taking TRIPRESS.
Keep all appointments you and your doctor have scheduled so that your
progress can be followed.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following, especially if they
are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of your presenting symptoms:
anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), irritability,
hostility (aggressiveness), impulsivity, akathisia (restlessness or difficulty
sitting still), hypomania, mania (mood of excitement, over-activity and
uninhibited behaviour), worsening of depression.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any distressing thoughts (thought
of suicide or self-harm) or experiences during this initial period or at any
other time.
Do not take TRIPRESS to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells
you to.
Do not stop taking TRIPRESS or lower the dose without first checking with
your doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar
to yours.
TRIPRESS may cause drowsiness in some people. Be careful when driving,
operating machinery or performing jobs that need you to be alert, until you are
certain that TRIPRESS does not affect your performance.
Your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for
depression.
Side effects
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well
while you are taking TRIPRESS.
All medicines can have some unwanted effects. Sometimes they are serious,
most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of
the side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they
worry you:
- Stomach or bowel problems (e.g. constipation)
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Increased sweating
- Tremor
- Ejaculation disorders or changes in your sex drive
- Vision problems
- Irregular heart beats, also called palpitations.
These are the more common side effects of TRIPRESS.
Tell your doctor immediately if you:
- Develop a rash or hives while taking TRIPRESS.
This side effect is rare but serious. You may need urgent medical
attention.
See your doctor if you experience any of the following when you stop TRIPRESS
treatment:
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Irritability
- Excessive sweating.
These symptoms are generally not serious and disappear within a few days.
The list of side effects mentioned above is not complete. If you should
suffer from any of these side effects or any other undesired effect please tell
your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.
In case of overdose
You should only take the number of capsules that you have been told.
Immediately contact your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre
(0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the Emergency department at your nearest
hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else has
taken any TRIPRESS by mistake. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort
or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Take the pack of
TRIPRESS with you if you can.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
Storage conditions
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack/blister
strip or if the packaging shows signs of tampering.
Keep your TRIPRESS capsules in the blister pack until it is time to take
them.
Store below 30°C and out of reach of children. Avoid exposure to heat, light
and moisture.
Do not store TRIPRESS, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking TRIPRESS or if the capsules have
passed the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with the remaining
medicine.
Product Description
What TRIPRESS capsules look like
TRIPRESS 25mg and 50mg capsules have a white body and a green cap.
TRIPRESS capsules are available in blister packs of 100 capsules.
Ingredients
Each TRIPRESS 25mg capsule contains 34.86mg of the active ingredient,
trimipramine maleate, equivalent to 25mg trimipramine. Each TRIPRESS 25mg
capsule also contains lactose, maize starch, colloidal silicon dioxide and
magnesium stearate.
Each TRIPRESS 50mg capsule contains 69.72mg of the active ingredient,
trimipramine maleate, equivalent to 50mg trimipramine. Each TRIPRESS 50mg
capsule also contains lactose, maize starch, colloidal silicon dioxide and
magnesium stearate.