Tofranil

Tofranil is a tricyclic antidepressant that helps treat symptoms of depression. This medicine can also be used to treat bed-wetting in children who are 6 years old and older.

Tofranil may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally adjust your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

You should not stop using Tofranil suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions for gradually reducing your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Some young people may have thoughts about suicide when they start taking an antidepressant. Be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms. Tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

You should not use Tofranil if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you recently had a heart attack; or
• you are allergic to other antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, protriptyline, or trTofranil).

Do not use Tofranil if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have taken an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, stroke, or seizures;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression), schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• kidney or liver disease;
• overactive thyroid;
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

It is not known if Tofranil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while taking Tofranil.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Tofranil is not approved to treat depression in anyone younger than 18 years old. This medicine should not be used to treat bed-wetting in a child younger than 6 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Tofranil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;
• tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, sore throat;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• painful or difficult urination;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Tofranil may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• tingly feeling, weakness, lack of coordination;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting; or
• breast swelling (in men or women).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much Tofranil can be deadly.

Signs of an overdose may include irregular heartbeats, feeling faint, seizures, or coma.

Do not drink alcohol. Serious side effects or death can happen when alcohol is mixed with Tofranil.

Avoid driving or doing dangerous activities until you know how Tofranil affects you. Your reactions may be slowed down.

Stay out of direct sunlight or tanning beds. Tofranil can make you more likely to get sunburned. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outside.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness can make this effect stronger. Ask your doctor before taking Tofranil with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with Tofranil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are mentioned here. Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are using.