Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol 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
Imipramine is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and with butorphanol it can increase drowsiness, dizziness and psychomotor impairment. Orthostatic hypotension and anticholinergic effects may also be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol 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.
Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid activity and tricyclic antihistaminic, anticholinergic and alpha-blocking effects.
What to do
Begin with a reduced butorphanol dose and monitor for oversedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Advise against driving and alcohol.
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 Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
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 Butorphanol with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol 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. Imipramine is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and with butorphanol it can increase drowsiness, dizziness and psychomotor impairment. Orthostatic hypotension and anticholinergic effects may also be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol 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: Begin with a reduced butorphanol dose and monitor for oversedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Advise against driving and alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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