How Long Does Tofranil (Imipramine) Stay In Your System?

What Is Tofranil (Imipramine)?

Tofranil is an antidepressant. Specifically, it is a tricyclic antidepressant, which means it balances natural neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, in the brain. Imipramine can also be prescribed to those suffering from enuresis in children, which is more commonly known as nighttime bed-wetting. Tofranil has the potential to improve your mood, sleep, appetite and energy levels. It can also help restore your interest in daily life.

How Long Does Tofranil (Imipramine) Stay In Your System?

The duration of time Tofranil stays in your system depends on many factors, including age, metabolism, usage frequency, organ functions and more. Since no two patients are exactly alike, the time your body takes to remove imipramine from your system is completely unique to you.

Tofranil (Imipramine) Prescription Facts

Important and timely facts about antidepressants according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

• The number of Americans who have taken an antidepressant in the last 30 days increased by 65 percent between 199 and 2014.
• One in eight Americans 12 years or older has used antidepressants recently.
• Women are nearly twice as likely as men to use antidepressants, with 16.5 percent of American women using antidepressants compared to 9 percent of American men.

Tofranil (Imipramine) Regulations

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Tofranil, are classified under Class II by the Food and Drug Administration. This recall classification is for products that might temporarily cause a health problem, or cause a slightly serious threat.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Tofranil (Imipramine)

The most commonly misused drugs containing Tofranil are the generic version of the drug, imipramine, and Tofranil itself.

How Tofranil (Imipramine) Affects the Brain and Body

Tofranil is effective because of its ability to balance neurotransmitters in the brain. The purpose of neurotransmitters is to regulate the transmission of nerve impulses between cells. The correct balance of neurotransmitters results in mental well-being. Imipramine itself increases the concentration of specific neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. Tofranil also blocks the action of acetylcholine.

Improvement is not always immediate when you start taking Tofranil. Usually, benefits are not evident until two to three weeks after beginning treatment.

Half-Life Of Tofranil (Imipramine)

The mean half-life of Tofranil is 19 hours. Typically about 80 percent of imipramine is removed from the body through urine and 20 percent through feces.

Factors That Influence How Long Tofranil (Imipramine) Stays In Your System

In order to get Tofranil out of your system, you must stop taking it. It is always important to consult a doctor if you begin to consider discontinuing imipramine treatment. It is not recommended to stop taking Tofranil cold turkey. Typically, the doctor will gradually lower the patient’s dosage so they do not experience severe withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, a medically monitored discontinuation program is recommended if you are having trouble discontinuing use of Tofranil.

Imipramine withdrawal symptoms include nausea, headache, fatigue, general malaise, lack of coordination, crying spells, depersonalization, flu-like symptoms, overreacting as well as sensory or sleep disturbances.

Everyone responds to the discontinued use of imipramine differently, as there are many factors that come into play regarding how long the medication stays in your system. The following are major factors you should be aware of when considering how long imipramine will stay in your system:

• Age: How old you are influences how your body functions. For example, a younger person’s organs and metabolism are usually more efficient than their older peers. This means that if the patient is younger, Tofranil will be removed from their body more quickly due to their high functioning bodily systems.
• Body height / weight / fat: The amount of imipramine your doctor prescribes depends on your height, weight, and fat. If you are taking more Tofranil than recommended by your doctor, it will take longer for your body to rid itself of the medication.
• Genetics: Genetic factors can predispose someone to different metabolic functions, therefore affecting imipramine’s reactions in the body. Psychological addiction can also be attributed to genetic factors.
• Kidney and liver functions: Your liver and kidney processes and eliminates everything you put in your body, including imipramine. If you have kidney or liver damage, or any other issues regarding these organs, Tofranil is expected to stay in your system for a longer amount of time.
• Metabolism: If you have a faster metabolism, you will process foods, liquids and medications at a faster rate. This includes imipramine. Therefore, if you have a slow metabolism, it will take longer for your body to rid itself of Tofranil.
• Usage frequency: If you have been taking imipramine for an extended period of time, it will take longer for your body to eliminate the medication from your system. This is something you consider when understanding how long imipramine will stay in your system.

How Long Does Tofranil (Imipramine) Stay In Your Urine, Hair, and Blood?

There are estimated times for Tofranil to leave the body, and these times are based on the type of test one takes after taking imipramine. The following is an estimation of detection windows which Tofranil can be found by different testing methods:

• Urine: Imipramine can be found in a urine test from 3-4 days.
• Blood: Imipramine can be found in a blood test for up to 24 hours.
• Hair: Tofranil will be detectable in hair for a longer period of time than in blood or urine. Typically, imipramine can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days, like many other medications.