🩺 Main Uses
Depression (legacy use; often avoided in UK).
🧪 The Science & Facts
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Half‑life (t½)
21 h
How long the drug hangs around. Longer half‑life = slower changes.
Time to Peak (Tmax)
2.5 h
Roughly when you feel the main effect after a dose.
What it hits (receptors)
Primary:
High overdose lethality and QT liability; many formularies discourage use.
How your body processes it (metabolism)
Interactions with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors; ECG advisable if risk.
⚠️ Warnings
- Heavily restricted in the UK — NICE advises against starting new patients due to fatal overdose risk.
- Strong sedation and anticholinergic effects.
- High cardiotoxicity.
- Withdrawal can be rough (insomnia, agitation, flu-like symptoms).
- Long-term users often stuck because tapering is brutal.
⏬ Taper & Withdrawal
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If you’re reducing
Go slow; monitor for anticholinergic rebound and sleep disruption.
Possible withdrawal
Anxiety, insomnia, cholinergic rebound; relapse if rapid.
Info here is educational, not medical advice. Always taper with prescriber support if possible.
🧠 Trusted External Sources Last reviewed 22 Aug 2025, 21:26 by Connor O’Driscoll
🔗 Interaction Checker
Always verify drug interactions using the Drugs.com Checker.
Need Help Getting Off This?
Try your GP first. If that doesn't help, find local support services who understand tapering.
Find Support Near You →⚠️ Black Box Warning
Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts/behaviours in under‑25s.
This is a plain‑English summary of headline safety warnings. Talk to a clinician before changing any medication.