Posted by SLS on July 3, 2009, at 16:05:16
In reply to Imipramine + higher pulse rate, posted by Vincent_QC on July 3, 2009, at 14:59:27
Hi.
When I am taking a tricyclic, I do not worry about the elevated heart rates that they can produce. I would say that anything up to 120bpm is reasonable and often lowers over time as one continues to take the drug after a few months. Actually, the heart is not working as hard as you might think. Part of its drive to beat faster is to compensate for the decreased blood pressure caused by imipramine's effect on peripheral NE alpha-1 receptors (antagonist). The heart pumps faster, but with less force being necessary. Many people have been on tricyclics for over 20 years. These drugs are not beating the hell out of your heart.
I would suggest that you just sit back, relax, and let the drug do its work. You will have side effects, which, at first, will be significant, but often reduce in magnitude over time. You still have yet to get to a therapeutic dosage. Keep track of your heart rate, but don't obsess over it.
Actually, if imipramine becomes intolerable or doesn't work, I would opt to go back to nortriptyline at some point with the understanding that the elevated heart rate is normal and to be expected for these drugs. The side effects with nortriptyline are quite a bit milder than with imipramine.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:904757
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090630/msgs/904776.html