Acute Intoxication with Desipramine

Abstract

SINCE the introduction of imipramine there have been numerous reports about the ingestion of massive quantities of this drug. Some were fatal whereas other patients survived without sequelae.^{1 2 3 4 5 6} Desipramine, a metabolite of imipramine, has a rapid action that makes it the drug of choice when a prompt antidepressant response is desirable.Williams,⁷ in 1964, first described the effects of massive ingestion of desipramine (a total dose of 1150 mg.). The following case occurred two months after the drug became available in this country.Case ReportA 59-year-old woman with mild diabetes and labile hypertension had suffered from a manic-depressive psychosis . . .