Drug interactions
Desipramine + Gabapentin
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Gabapentin: 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
Both drugs can cause sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor function, and their combination may add to central nervous system depression. Respiratory depression is a particular concern in older adults, those with lung disease, or when other sedatives or opioids are also taken.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Gabapentin 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; Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Start gabapentin at a low dose and titrate slowly, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving until tolerance is known.
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 Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Gabapentin 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. Both drugs can cause sedation, dizziness and impaired psychomotor function, and their combination may add to central nervous system depression. Respiratory depression is a particular concern in older adults, those with lung disease, or when other sedatives or opioids are also taken.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start gabapentin at a low dose and titrate slowly, and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving until tolerance is known.
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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