Drug interactions
Desipramine + Difenoxin
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Difenoxin: 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
Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal metabolite of diphenoxylate with CNS depressant effects at higher exposure. Combined with desipramine, additive sedation and, with large doses, respiratory depression may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Difenoxin 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Difenoxin belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid activity and the sedative properties of the tricyclic antidepressant.
What to do
Keep difenoxin at the labeled dose and monitor for drowsiness and reduced alertness. Avoid adding other sedatives and warn the patient about driving.
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 Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Difenoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Difenoxin 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. Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal metabolite of diphenoxylate with CNS depressant effects at higher exposure. Combined with desipramine, additive sedation and, with large doses, respiratory depression may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Difenoxin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep difenoxin at the labeled dose and monitor for drowsiness and reduced alertness. Avoid adding other sedatives and warn the patient about driving.
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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