Imipramine Uses

Imipramine is used to treat depression in adults and adolescents. It is also used to prevent bedwetting in children.

There may be other uses of imipramine, such as to treat eating disorders or panic disorders—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Imipramine Mechanism of Action

Imipramine treats depression by increasing the amount of certain natural substances in the central nervous system that regulate mood. It is unclear how imipramine helps to prevent bedwetting in children.

Imipramine Doses

The usual dose of imipramine to treat depression in adults is 75 mg per day. This dose may be increased up to a maximum of 150-200 mg per day. 

Teenagers and older adults are usually started on a low dose of imipramine, 30-40 mg per day. The maximum dose in adolescents and older adults is not usually more than 100 mg per day. 

To prevent bedwetting in children 6 years of age and older, the dose of imipramine is 25 mg once a day, one hour before bedtime. The dose may be increased depending on the child’s age. However, doctors do not prescribe a dose of more than 2.5 mg/kg/day in children because twice this dose has been reported to cause ECG changes of unclear significance.