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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.

Evidence level: Low

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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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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