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Tofranil advertisement, 1968. Hospital & Community Psychiatry, Vol. 19, No. 7. Magna cum depression For him, commencement. For his mother, the beginning of his career may seem the end of hers. The end of feeling needed and useful. The beginning, perhaps, of a pathological depression. Tofranil can often relieve the symptoms of depression. If it can relieve her mental anguish, you may be able to help her graduate into a new and fruitful life of her own. Tofranil could be her commencement, too. Tofranil® imipramine hydrochloride Geigy ~ in depression ~ The use of Tofranil in patients receiving M.A.O.I.'s is contraindicated. In patients with cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism or increased intraocular pressure; in those receiving anticholinergics (including antiparkinsonism agents), thyroid medication or adrenergic neuron-blocking antihypertensive agents; and in those in the first trimester of pregnancy, the precautions discussed in the Prescribing Information should be carefully observed. Although toxic reactions severe enough to require discontinuation of Tofranil are uncommon, please refer to the Prescribing Information for a description of such instances when discontinuation may be necessary. Indications: Tofranil is recommended for the treatment of depressive states of diverse psychopathology. Contraindications: The concomitant use of this agent and monoamine oxidase inhibiting (M.A.O.I.) compounds is contraindicated. Hyperpyretic crises or severe convulsive seizures may occur. Potentiation of adverse effects can be serious or even fatal. An interval of at least 7 days after M.A.O.I. therapy has been discontinued should be allowed before this drug may be substituted. Initial dosage should be low, increases should be gradual, and the patient's progress should be carefully observed. Warning: Clinical reports have suggested that there may be a risk of teratogenesis associated with the use of this compound during the first trimester of pregnancy. Unless, in the opinion of the prescribing physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks, it should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, have occasionally occurred in susceptible individuals. Patients with cardiovascular disease should be given the drug only under careful observation and in low dosage. Precautions: Since suicide is always a possibility in severely depressed patients and one which may persist until significant remission occurs, such patients should be carefully supervised during early treatment. Some severely depressed patients may also require hospitalization and/or concomitant electroconvulsive therapy. Because of its anticholinergic effect, caution should be observed in prescribing the drug for patients with increased intraocular pressure. In rare instances, transient cardiac arrhythmias have occurred in hyperthyroid patients and in patients receiving thyroid medication when this compound was added to the regimen. Imipramine may block the pharmacologic activity of guanethidine and other related adrenergic neuron-blocking agents. The drug is not recommended at the present time in patients under 12 years of age. Adverse Reactions: Dryness of the mouth, tachycardia, constipation, disturbances of accomodation, sweating, dizziness, weight gain, urinary frequency or retention, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuritis, mild parkinson-like syndrome, tremors, rare cases of falling in elderly patients, confusional states (with such symptoms as hallucinations and disorientation), activation of psychosis in schizophrenics and agitation (including hypomanic and manic episodes) which may require dosage reduction and/or addition of a tranquilizer or temporary discontinuation of the drug, epileptiform seizures, orthostatic hypotension and substantial blood pressure fall in hypertensive patients, purpura, transient jaundice, bone marrow depression including agranulocytosis, sensitization and skin rash including photosensitization, eosinophilia, and mild withdrawal symptoms on sudden discontinuation after prolonged treatment with high doses. Occasional hormonal effects (impotence, decreased libido, and estrogenic effects) may be observed. Atropine-like effects may be more pronounced (e.g. paralytic ileus) in susceptible patients and in those using anticholinergic agents (including antiparkinsonism drugs). Outpatient Adult Dosage: Initially, 75 mg. daily, increased, if necessary, to 150 or 200 mg. Maintenance dosage may be lower, 50 to 150 mg. daily, if possible. Geriatric and Adolescent Dosage: Initially, 30 or 40 mg. daily, which may be increased according to response and tolerance. It is usually unnecessary to exceed 100 mg. daily. A lag in therapeutic response, lasting from a few days to a few weeks, should be expected. When dosage recommendations are already being followed, increasing the dosage does not normally shorten this latency period and may increase the incidence of adverse reactions. Availability: Round tablets of 25 and 50 mg.; triangular tablets of 10 mg. for geriatric and adolescent use; and ampuls, each containing 25 mg. in 2 cc. for I.M. administration. (B)R-46-850-C For complete details, please refer to the full Prescribing Information. Geigy Pharmaceutical ~ Division of Geigy Chemical Corporation ~ Ardsley, New York 10502 |