Drug interactions
Desipramine + Diamorphine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Diamorphine: 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
Opioids such as diamorphine add to the sedative effect of tricyclic antidepressants and may increase respiratory depression and hypotension. Constipation and urinary retention may also be worsened by desipramine's anticholinergic effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Diamorphine 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression, with additive anticholinergic effects.
What to do
Titrate diamorphine cautiously and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Review bowel and bladder function.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Diamorphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Diamorphine 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. Opioids such as diamorphine add to the sedative effect of tricyclic antidepressants and may increase respiratory depression and hypotension. Constipation and urinary retention may also be worsened by desipramine's anticholinergic effects.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Diamorphine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate diamorphine cautiously and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Review bowel and bladder function.
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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