Drug interactions
Butabarbital + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Butabarbital 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
Barbiturates add to the sedative effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes, which may lower desipramine levels over time and reduce antidepressant effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butabarbital 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus barbiturate induction of hepatic CYP metabolism.
What to do
Monitor sedation and antidepressant response, and adjust the desipramine dose if clinical response falls. Avoid use with other sedatives where possible.
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 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 Butabarbital with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butabarbital 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. Barbiturates add to the sedative effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes, which may lower desipramine levels over time and reduce antidepressant effect.
How serious is the interaction between Butabarbital 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: Monitor sedation and antidepressant response, and adjust the desipramine dose if clinical response falls. Avoid use with other sedatives where possible.
What other medicines interact with Desipramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desipramine with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Desipramine page.
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