Imipramine, serum

Imipramine and its metabolite desipramine are tricyclic antidepressants used to treat endogenous depression requiring 1 to 3 weeks of treatment before therapeutic effectiveness becomes apparent. Desipramine is used for treatment of endogenous depression when the patient needs a drug with significant stimulatory side effects. These drugs have also been employed in the treatment of enuresis (involuntary urination) in childhood and severe obsessive-compulsive neurosis.

The optimal dosage of imipramine yields trough (just before the next dose) blood levels of imipramine and desipramine combined from 175 to 300 ng/mL. If desipramine is given, no imipramine should be detected and the therapeutic concentration for desipramine alone is 100 to 300 ng/mL.

Most individuals display optimal response to imipramine when combined serum levels of imipramine and desipramine are between 175 and 300 ng/mL. Risk of toxicity is increased with levels > or =300 ng/mL.

Most individuals display optimal response to desipramine with serum levels of 100 to 300 ng/mL. Risk of toxicity is increased with desipramine levels > or =300 ng/mL.

Some individuals may respond well outside of these ranges, or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range, thus interpretation should include clinical evaluation.

  • Sample of blood serum
  • We perform the test daily