Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Azithromycin and Desipramine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs may prolong the QT interval, so together they can increase the risk of torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with higher desipramine exposure, cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin and Desipramine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through effects on cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and electrolytes, and consider an alternative antibiotic in patients with cardiac risk factors.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desipramine
- Desipramine + Disopyramide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin and Desipramine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs may prolong the QT interval, so together they can increase the risk of torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with higher desipramine exposure, cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Desipramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and electrolytes, and consider an alternative antibiotic in patients with cardiac risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Azithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azithromycin with, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Azithromycin page.
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