Drug interactions
Desipramine + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone: 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
Ethinyl estradiol may reduce the metabolism of tricyclic antidepressants, raising desipramine concentrations in some patients. This can increase anticholinergic, sedative and cardiac effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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; Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Estrogen may inhibit hepatic oxidative metabolism of desipramine.
What to do
Monitor for tricyclic adverse effects and consider checking desipramine levels or lowering the dose if toxicity appears.
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 Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Tranexamic acid Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Major
- Amobarbital + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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 Desipramine with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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. Ethinyl estradiol may reduce the metabolism of tricyclic antidepressants, raising desipramine concentrations in some patients. This can increase anticholinergic, sedative and cardiac effects.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
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 tricyclic adverse effects and consider checking desipramine levels or lowering the dose if toxicity appears.
What other medicines interact with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone with, for example, Fezolinetant, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir. The full list is on the Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone page.
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