Drug interactions
Desipramine + Dolasetron
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Dolasetron: 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
Combining a 5-HT3 antagonist with a tricyclic antidepressant has been associated with serotonin syndrome in reports, although the risk is low. Desipramine also prolongs QRS and QT intervals, which adds to the conduction effects of dolasetron.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Dolasetron 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; Dolasetron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Possible additive serotonergic effects, together with additive prolongation of cardiac conduction and repolarization.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and diarrhea, and check the ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Choose an antiemetic with less QT effect if feasible.
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 Dolasetron
- Apomorphine + Dolasetron Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Dolasetron Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Vandetanib Contraindicated
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 Dolasetron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Dolasetron 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. Combining a 5-HT3 antagonist with a tricyclic antidepressant has been associated with serotonin syndrome in reports, although the risk is low. Desipramine also prolongs QRS and QT intervals, which adds to the conduction effects of dolasetron.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Dolasetron?
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 for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and diarrhea, and check the ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Choose an antiemetic with less QT effect if feasible.
What other medicines interact with Dolasetron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dolasetron with, for example, Apomorphine, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Dolasetron page.
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