Surmontil (Trimipramine)

Trimipramine belongs to a group of medicines known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCA).

When depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of the chemicals noradrenaline and serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain. When these chemicals are released from nerve cells they act to lighten mood. When they are reabsorbed into the nerve cells, they no longer have an effect on mood.

Trimipramine works by preventing this re-absorption of noradrenaline and serotonin back into the nerve cells. Therefore, it helps prolong the mood-lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. This helps relieve depression.

Trimipramine also blocks receptors in other areas of the body resulting in side-effects such as drowsiness. Therefore, trimipramine may be particularly useful in the treatment of depression involving sleep disturbances, anxiety or agitation.

It may be seven to ten days before any benefits of treatment with trimipramine are seen.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Rash Constipation Blurred vision Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia) Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention) Dry mouth Drowsiness Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor) Blood disorders Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias) Sexual problems The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can this medicine affect other medicines? Trimipramine should not be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI). Treatment with trimipramine should not be started until 2 weeks after stopping a MAOI. Trimipramine blood levels may be decreased by barbiturates. There may be a sudden and marked increase in blood pressure and heart rate when trimipramine is taken with medications causing vessel constriction such as phenylephrine and adrenaline. These medicines should not be used together. Trimipramine may decrease the blood pressure lowering effect of: Bethanidine Debrisoquine and guanethidine. Trimipramine may increase the sedating effects of alcohol.