Drug interactions
Clemastine + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Clemastine 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
Clemastine is a sedating, anticholinergic antihistamine. Taken with desipramine, drowsiness and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion may be enhanced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clemastine 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.
Clemastine belongs to Respiratory; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects.
What to do
Prefer a non-sedating antihistamine; if both are used, monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects, particularly in older adults.
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 Clemastine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clemastine with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clemastine 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. Clemastine is a sedating, anticholinergic antihistamine. Taken with desipramine, drowsiness and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion may be enhanced.
How serious is the interaction between Clemastine 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: Prefer a non-sedating antihistamine; if both are used, monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects, particularly in older adults.
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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