Drug interactions
Chlorpheniramine + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpheniramine 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
Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic effects, and desipramine adds further sedation and anticholinergic burden. Chlorpheniramine can also inhibit CYP2D6 weakly, possibly raising desipramine levels. Older adults are at greater risk of confusion, urinary retention and falls.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpheniramine 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.
Chlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects, with possible weak CYP2D6 inhibition.
What to do
Use a non-sedating antihistamine if possible; otherwise monitor for sedation and anticholinergic toxicity and reduce doses if they occur.
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 Chlorpheniramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpheniramine with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpheniramine 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. Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic effects, and desipramine adds further sedation and anticholinergic burden. Chlorpheniramine can also inhibit CYP2D6 weakly, possibly raising desipramine levels. Older adults are at greater risk of confusion, urinary retention and falls.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpheniramine 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: Use a non-sedating antihistamine if possible; otherwise monitor for sedation and anticholinergic toxicity and reduce doses if they occur.
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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