Imipraminoxide (brand names Imiprex, Elepsin), or imipramine N-oxide, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that was introduced in Europe in the 1960s for the treatment of depression.[3][4][5][6]
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Trade names | Imiprex, Elepsin |
Routes of administration | Oral |
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Elimination half-life | Intravenous: 1.8 hours[2] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.027.188 |
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Formula | C19H24N2O |
Molar mass | 296.414 g·mol−1 |
Imipraminoxide is both an analogue and a metabolite of imipramine, and has similar effects.[7][8][9][10] However, in clinical trials, imipraminoxide was found to have a faster onset of action, slightly higher efficacy, and fewer and less marked side effects, including diminished orthostatic hypotension and anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, sweating, dizziness, and fatigue.[7][8][9][10][11][12]
Imipraminoxide's pharmacology has not been well elucidated, but based on its very close relationship with imipramine, it likely acts as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and serotonin, adrenenaline, histamine, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, though with weaker antiadrenergic and anticholinergic actions.[11][12]
Imipraminoxide has been said to be a prodrug of imipramine.[13]