Drug interactions
Buspirone + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Imipramine: 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 have serotonergic activity, and combining them could theoretically raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. In practice the clinical risk with buspirone plus a tricyclic is low and the combination is sometimes used deliberately.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Imipramine 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects from buspirone 5-HT1A partial agonism and imipramine serotonin reuptake inhibition.
What to do
Start at low doses and titrate slowly. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and fever, and stop one agent if serotonin toxicity develops.
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 Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Imipramine
- Dronedarone + Imipramine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Imipramine 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 have serotonergic activity, and combining them could theoretically raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. In practice the clinical risk with buspirone plus a tricyclic is low and the combination is sometimes used deliberately.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Imipramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start at low doses and titrate slowly. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and fever, and stop one agent if serotonin toxicity develops.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone page.
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