Drug interactions
Cisapride + Desipramine
Severity: Major
Cisapride and Desipramine: major 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 cisapride and desipramine can prolong the QT interval, and tricyclic antidepressants carry arrhythmia risk, particularly in overdose. Together they raise the risk of torsades de pointes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisapride and Desipramine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Cisapride belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through blockade of cardiac potassium channels.
What to do
Avoid the combination; use a non-QT-prolonging alternative to one of the drugs. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline and follow-up ECG and correct electrolyte abnormalities.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Cisapride
- Apomorphine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Artemether + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Citalopram Contraindicated
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 Cisapride with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Cisapride and Desipramine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both cisapride and desipramine can prolong the QT interval, and tricyclic antidepressants carry arrhythmia risk, particularly in overdose. Together they raise the risk of torsades de pointes.
How serious is the interaction between Cisapride and Desipramine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination; use a non-QT-prolonging alternative to one of the drugs. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline and follow-up ECG and correct electrolyte abnormalities.
What other medicines interact with Cisapride?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cisapride with, for example, Apomorphine, Artemether, Azithromycin. The full list is on the Cisapride page.
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