Drug interactions
Clonidine + Desipramine
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine 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
Desipramine can antagonize the antihypertensive action of clonidine, causing loss of blood pressure control and hypertensive episodes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine 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.
Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular; Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Tricyclics block adrenergic neuronal uptake and have alpha-2 antagonist effects, opposing clonidine's central action.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure closely and adjust clonidine or switch agents if effect is lost. Avoid abrupt clonidine discontinuation.
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 Clonidine
- Acebutolol + Clonidine Major
- Amifostine + Clonidine Major
- Amiodarone + Clonidine Major
- Amoxapine + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
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 Clonidine with Desipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine 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. Desipramine can antagonize the antihypertensive action of clonidine, causing loss of blood pressure control and hypertensive episodes.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine 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: Monitor blood pressure closely and adjust clonidine or switch agents if effect is lost. Avoid abrupt clonidine discontinuation.
What other medicines interact with Clonidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clonidine with, for example, Acebutolol, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Clonidine page.
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