Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine 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
Carbamazepine induces hepatic enzymes and can lower desipramine concentrations, possibly reducing antidepressant effectiveness. Carbamazepine is also structurally related to tricyclics, so additive adverse effects are possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine 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.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP enzymes (including CYP3A4/1A2) by carbamazepine, increasing desipramine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and consider measuring desipramine plasma levels, increasing the dose as required. Reassess the dose if carbamazepine is stopped.
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
Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine 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. Carbamazepine induces hepatic enzymes and can lower desipramine concentrations, possibly reducing antidepressant effectiveness. Carbamazepine is also structurally related to tricyclics, so additive adverse effects are possible.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine 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 clinical response and consider measuring desipramine plasma levels, increasing the dose as required. Reassess the dose if carbamazepine is stopped.
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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