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Drug interactions

Clomipramine + Ethanol

Severity: Moderate

Clomipramine and Ethanol: 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

Alcohol enhances the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of clomipramine and may increase risk of hypotension and overdose toxicity. Heavy alcohol use also lowers the seizure threshold further.

What this interaction means in plain words

Clomipramine and Ethanol 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression.

What to do

Advise patients to avoid alcohol during clomipramine treatment. Counsel about driving and machinery use if alcohol is consumed.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Clomipramine with Ethanol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clomipramine and Ethanol 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. Alcohol enhances the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of clomipramine and may increase risk of hypotension and overdose toxicity. Heavy alcohol use also lowers the seizure threshold further.

How serious is the interaction between Clomipramine and Ethanol?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid alcohol during clomipramine treatment. Counsel about driving and machinery use if alcohol is consumed.

What other medicines interact with Clomipramine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Clomipramine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Droperidol. The full list is on the Clomipramine page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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