Drug interactions
Desipramine + Donepezil
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Donepezil: 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
Donepezil has been associated with QT prolongation, bradycardia and torsades de pointes, and desipramine can also prolong QTc. Tricyclics also have anticholinergic effects that oppose donepezil's therapeutic action.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Donepezil 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; Donepezil belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and pharmacodynamic antagonism of cholinergic effects.
What to do
Check a baseline ECG and monitor for bradycardia, syncope and QT prolongation; consider an alternative antidepressant with less anticholinergic activity.
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 Donepezil
- Donepezil + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Donepezil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Donepezil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Donepezil 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. Donepezil has been associated with QT prolongation, bradycardia and torsades de pointes, and desipramine can also prolong QTc. Tricyclics also have anticholinergic effects that oppose donepezil's therapeutic action.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Donepezil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check a baseline ECG and monitor for bradycardia, syncope and QT prolongation; consider an alternative antidepressant with less anticholinergic activity.
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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