Imipramine (Tofranil) tablets 25 mg: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

AFT, the supplier, of imipramine hydrochloride Tab 25 mg (Tofranil) is out of stock.

December 2025 | update

Resupply of the registered product is expected by early 2026. There may be a time where the 25 mg alternative is not available. If so, clinical advice says people can take two of the 10 mg tablets as a temporary alternative.

Affected product

  • Chemical: Imipramine hydrochloride
  • Presentation: Tab 25 mg
  • Brand: Tofranil
  • Pharmacode: 2015250
  • Subsidy: $8.80
  • Measure/Qty: per 50

Schedule listing for imipramine(external link)

10 mg strength imipramine hydrochloride tablets are available.

Expected resupply by early 2026

The registered product is expected to be out of stock until early 2026.

Alternative products

Section 29 alternative listed

From 23 November 2023, Pharmac listed a section 29 alternative

  • Chemical: Imipramine hydrochloride
  • Presentation: Tab 25 mg
  • Brand: Imipramine Crescent
  • Pharmacode: 2669692
  • Subsidy: $4.93
  • Measure/Qty: per 28
  • Section 29

Prescribing and supplying an unapproved medicine

Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 allows for medicines that are not Medsafe approved to be prescribed and supplied to people.

We know supplying a medicine under section 29 is not ideal. In this case, however, this will allow patients to be able to access an appropriate treatment. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. 

Advice for prescribing under section 29 – BPAC website(external link) 

Prescriber and pharmacist requirements for section 29 medicines – Medsafe website (external link)

What patients need to know about unapproved medicines – Healthify website(external link)

2 x 10 mg tabs can also be used

We have received advice from our Mental Health Advisory Committee (one of our expert clinical advisory groups). They advise that 2 x imipramine hydrochloride 10 mg tablets could be used as a temporary alternative.

The supplier, AFT Pharmaceuticals, advises that they have enough supply of imipramine hydrochloride 10 mg tablets to manage an increase in demand if it were used by all patients who usually use the imipramine hydrochloride 25 mg.

Who to contact

If you are a prescriber or pharmacist with questions about this supply issue:

If you take imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil) 25 mg tablets, talk to a health professional you trust. Pharmac cannot give clinical advice to individuals.

If you need to talk:

  • call or text 1737 any time (it’s free)
  • talk to a trained counsellor on the Depression helpline, 0800 111 757