Norpramin (Desipramine) for Lupus

Overview
Many people with lupus experience depression because of disease activity, medication side effects, or the stress of living with a chronic illness. Norpramin is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression. Norpramin is also known by its drug name, Desipramine.

Norpramin is a tricyclic antidepressant. It is believed that Norpramin works by changing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do I take it?
Norpramin is generally taken one or more times a day.

Norpramin is available in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Norpramin lists common side effects including headache, drowsiness, lack of coordination, weakness, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, increased appetite, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Norpramin include suicidality and the worsening of depressive symptoms.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Norpramin – RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/norpramin-drug.htm

Lupus and depression: Know the signs and how to get help – Lupus Foundation of America
http://www.resources.lupus.org/entry/lupus-and-...