Home Drug Guide Trimipramine Maleate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Trimipramine Maleate

Brand Names Surmontil

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidepressant

Pharmacological: Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Major depressive disorder

Mechanism of Action

Trimipramine acts by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in the central nervous system, and also has sedative properties due to its antihistaminic activity.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially, 100-150 mg/day in divided doses, titrated up to 300 mg/day as needed.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses, monitor closely due to increased sensitivity.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on clinical response and tolerability.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution, lower doses recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed with protein binding approximately 85%.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver mainly via CYP2D6; active metabolites formed.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in the urine.

Half Life: Approximately 20-40 hours.

Contraindications

  • Recent myocardial infarction
  • Use concomitantly with MAO inhibitors
  • History of hypersensitivity to TCAs

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with glaucoma, urinary retention, history of seizure disorders, or cardiovascular disease. Monitor for suicidal thoughts, especially in young adults.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Sedation (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Constipation (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Rare)
  • Seizures (Rare)
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (Monitor closely, especially in young adults.)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (risk of serotonin syndrome), other serotonergic agents, other CNS depressants, anticholinergic drugs.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor mental status, suicidal ideation, cardiovascular status, and signs of anticholinergic effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury related to orthostatic hypotension
  • Impaired skin integrity due to anticholinergic effects

Implementation: Administer at bedtime if sedative effects are desired. Monitor for adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Assess depressive symptoms, side effects, and overall response to therapy.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Do not discontinue abruptly. Report side effects such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, or severe allergic reactions.
  • Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Take medication as prescribed, usually at bedtime.
  • Inform about potential anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, constipation.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Genetic Factors: Metabolism affected by CYP2D6 enzyme polymorphisms, influencing drug levels.

Lab Test Interference: Possibly affects blood glucose and thyroid function tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Seizures, hallucinations, hot dry skin, tachycardia, arrhythmias, coma.

Treatment: Supportive care, Activated charcoal if recent ingestion, alkalinization of urine, available specific antidotes are limited; cardiac monitoring essential.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and children.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.