Reactions 397 - 18 Apr 1992

Imipramine

Suicidal ideation: case reportSuicidal impulses were experienced by a 59-year-old after

an increase in his dosage of imipramine.The patient had initially received imipramine 150 mg/day

because of chronic backache and depression; he hadpresented with passive suicidal thoughts. After approximately1 year of treatment with some improvement, the dosage wasincreased to 200 mg/day. However, following this he began toexperience occasional suicidal impulses.

Despite relief of his depression and back pain, the patientstopped taking imipramine on his own initiative 2 years afterthe dosage increase. The suicidal impulses subsequentlydisappeared. Other negative effects which resolved wereexcessive movements during sleep, nightmares, thinking lessclearly and slowed responses.

Suicidal impulses may emerge as an effect of tricyclicantidepressants not only late in a course of treatment but alsoin the context of a positive response to an antidepressantHardoby W. Imipramine and suicidal thoughts. American Journal of Psychiatry149: 412-413, Mar 1992 - USA 800125684

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Reactions 18 Apr 1992 No. 3970114-9954/10/0397-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved