Desipramine hydrochloride, USP is an antidepressant drug of the tricyclic type, and is chemically: 5 H -Dibenz[ bƒ ]azepine-5-propanamine,10,11-dihydro- N -methyl-, monohydrochloride. Each desipramine hydrochloride tablet, USP contains 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, or 150 mg of desipramine hydrochloride, USP for oral administration Structural Formula

What kind of drug is desipramine?

The FDA classifies desipramine as a tricyclic antidepressant. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take desipramine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run desipramine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is desipramine sold under?

We track 2 desipramine-containing products in the U.S.: Desipramine Hydrochloride and Pertofrane. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does desipramine come in?

Across the brands we track, desipramine is currently marketed as tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic desipramine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic desipramine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has desipramine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions desipramine. The most recent: Desipramine Hydrochloride Tablets (Oct 6, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Desipramine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, depressive disorder and pain. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Tricyclic Antidepressant
Treats: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder and Pain
Available as: Tablet · Capsule
Sold as: 2 products — Desipramine Hydrochloride and Pertofrane
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $9 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How desipramine is dosed

From the FDA label for Desipramine Hydrochloride (application ANDA205153). Other desipramine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Not recommended for use in children (see WARNINGS ). Lower dosages are recommended for elderly patients and adolescents. Lower dosages are also recommended for outpatients compared to hospitalized patients, who are closely supervised. Dosage should be initiated at a low level and increased according to clinical response and any evidence of intolerance. Following remission, maintenance medication may be required for a period of time and should be at the lowest dose that will maintain remission. Usual Adult Dose The usual adult dose is 100 mg to 200 mg per day. In more severely ill patients, dosage may be further increased gradually to 300 mg/day if necessary. Dosages above 300 mg/day are not recommended. Dosage should be initiated at a lower level and increased according to tolerance and clinical response. Treatment of patients requiring as much as 300 mg should generally be initiated in hospitals, where regular visits by the physician, skilled nursing care, and frequent electrocardiograms (ECGs) are available. The best available evidence of impending toxicity from very high doses of desipramine hydrochloride is prolongation of the QRS or QT intervals on the ECG. Prolongation of the PR interval is also significant, but less closely correlated with plasma levels. Clinical symptoms of intolerance, especially drowsiness, dizziness, and postural hypotension, should also alert the…

Desipramine side effects

Included in the following listing are a few adverse reactions that have not been reported with this specific drug. However, the pharmacologic similarities among the tricyclic antidepressant drugs require that each of the reactions be considered when desipramine hydrochloride is given. Cardiovascular: Hypotension, hypertension, palpitations, heart block, myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmias, premature ventricular contractions, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, sudden death There has been a report of an "acute collapse" and "sudden death" in an 8-year-old (18 kg) male, treated for 2 years for hyperactivity. There have been additional reports of sudden death in children (see PRECAUTIONS-Pediatric Use ). Psychiatric: Confusional states (especially in the elderly) with hallucinations, disorientation, delusions; anxiety, restlessness, agitation; insomnia and nightmares; hypomania; exacerbation of psychosis Neurologic: Numbness, tingling, paresthesias of extremities; incoordination, ataxia, tremors; peripheral neuropathy; extrapyramidal symptoms; seizures; alterations in EEG patterns; tinnitus Symptoms attributed to Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome have been reported during desipramine use with and without concomitant neuroleptic therapy. Anticholinergic: Dry mouth, and rarely associated sublingual adenitis; blurred vision, disturbance of…

Every desipramine product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Desipramine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Desipramine Hydrochloride Boxed warning	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$9	View →
2

What desipramine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Desipramine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
AA;11	10 mg	blue	round	—
AA;12	25 mg	yellow	round	—
AA;13	50 mg	green	round	—
AA;15	100 mg	pink	round	—
AA;16	150 mg	white	round	—
ING;112	10 mg	white

Desipramine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is desipramine?: Desipramine hydrochloride, USP is an antidepressant drug of the tricyclic type, and is chemically: 5 H -Dibenz[ bƒ ]azepine-5-propanamine,10,11-dihydro- N -methyl-, monohydrochloride. Each desipramine hydrochloride tablet, USP contains 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, or 150 mg of desipramine hydrochloride, USP for oral administration Structural Formula
What kind of drug is desipramine?: The FDA classifies desipramine as a tricyclic antidepressant. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take desipramine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run desipramine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is desipramine sold under?: We track 2 desipramine-containing products in the U.S.: Desipramine Hydrochloride and Pertofrane. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does desipramine come in?: Across the brands we track, desipramine is currently marketed as tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic desipramine?: Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic desipramine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.