Imipramine

Imipramine has been studied in 6 papers since 2016: 2 observational studies in people, 4 in animals; 2 in the past year. The newest story, Nov 3, 2026: “Imipramine linked to lower death risk in Alzheimer’s patients”.

Intervention

6 papers study it2 more mention it12 findingsUpdated Nov 3, 2026

PubChem ChEBI MeSH

2 new papers in 30 daysSee all 8 papers on imipramine

At a glance

The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 2 independent labs in 2 countries.

“AD patients prescribed imipramine had reduced all-cause mortality over 10 years relative to those prescribed other tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), non-TCA antidepressants, or no antidepressants.”

Imipramine binds to amyloid-β and extends the survival of Alzheimer's disease patientsbioRxiv2026doi:10.64898/2026.10.28.762584

None of its findings points the other way.

2 independent labs in 2 countries

Funder: National Institute on Aging

Humans2
Animals4

What did studies of imipramine find?

Studies of imipramine measured 9 outcomes; the most studied are SMPD1 (2 studies), ceramide (2) and cholinergic neurotransmission (1).

SMPD1

downin rats2

2 studies

Imipramine inhibits SMPD1 in rats.
“Imipramine, as well as zoledronic acid significantly reduced acid SMase activity in the EDL of old animals.”
Animalsextensor digitorum longus musclemales
Acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors, imipramine and zoledronic acid, increase skeletal muscle tissue sensitivity to insulin action at old age
General physiology and biophysicsNov 10, 2017
Imipramine inhibits SMPD1 in rats.
“Injections of imipramine or zoledronic acid to 24-month old rats resulted in significant downregulation of ASMase in the liver and skeletal and heart muscles.”
Animalsliver, skeletal muscle, and heart muscle
Role of acid sphingomyelinase in the age-dependent dysregulation of sphingolipids turnover in the tissues of rats
General physiology and biophysicsFeb 2, 2016

What is imipramine linked with?

Studies link imipramine with 1 measure, most often mortality (1 study).

Mortality

downin humans1

1 study

Imipramine is associated with mortality in humans.
“AD patients prescribed imipramine had reduced all-cause mortality over 10 years relative to those prescribed other tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), non-TCA antidepressants, or no antidepressants.”
HumansAlzheimer's disease; compared with other tricyclic antidepressants, non-TCA antidepressants, or no antidepressants10 years
Imipramine linked to lower death risk in Alzheimer’s patients
bioRxivNov 3, 2026Preprint

Latest

2 papers in 12 months

bioRxivNov 3

Imipramine linked to lower death risk in Alzheimer’s patients

An observational analysis linked imipramine prescriptions to lower mortality over 10 years in Alzheimer’s patients compared with other antidepressants or none.An observational analysis linked imipramine prescriptions to lower mortality over 10 years in Alzheimer’s patients compared with other antidepressants or none.

Preprint: cohort studyAlzheimer's disease