Drug interactions
Desipramine + Etomidate
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Etomidate: 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
Etomidate is an anesthetic induction agent, and prior tricyclic therapy can add to sedation and hemodynamic effects during anesthesia. Tricyclics may also alter blood pressure and arrhythmia susceptibility in the perioperative period.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Etomidate 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; Etomidate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A modulation by etomidate with the sedative and cardiovascular effects of desipramine.
What to do
Inform the anesthesia team about tricyclic use and titrate etomidate to effect. Monitor ECG and blood pressure during and after induction.
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 Etomidate
- Alprazolam + Etomidate Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Etomidate Moderate
- Amobarbital + Etomidate Moderate
- Azelastine + Etomidate Moderate
- Baclofen + Etomidate Moderate
- Brompheniramine + Etomidate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Etomidate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Etomidate 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. Etomidate is an anesthetic induction agent, and prior tricyclic therapy can add to sedation and hemodynamic effects during anesthesia. Tricyclics may also alter blood pressure and arrhythmia susceptibility in the perioperative period.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Etomidate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Inform the anesthesia team about tricyclic use and titrate etomidate to effect. Monitor ECG and blood pressure during and after induction.
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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