Drug interactions
Chlordiazepoxide + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Chlordiazepoxide 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 cause sedation and psychomotor impairment, so taken together they can produce marked drowsiness and impaired coordination. Desipramine adds anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects, and the combination is often used in anxious depressed patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlordiazepoxide 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.
Chlordiazepoxide belongs to Central Nervous System; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABAergic enhancement and tricyclic antihistaminic and adrenergic effects.
What to do
Start with low doses and increase gradually, and counsel about driving and alcohol. Review the need for the benzodiazepine regularly, as long-term use is discouraged.
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 Chlordiazepoxide
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 Chlordiazepoxide with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlordiazepoxide 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 cause sedation and psychomotor impairment, so taken together they can produce marked drowsiness and impaired coordination. Desipramine adds anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects, and the combination is often used in anxious depressed patients.
How serious is the interaction between Chlordiazepoxide 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: Start with low doses and increase gradually, and counsel about driving and alcohol. Review the need for the benzodiazepine regularly, as long-term use is discouraged.
What other medicines interact with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlordiazepoxide with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlordiazepoxide page.
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