Drug interactions
Desipramine + Galantamine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Galantamine: 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
Desipramine's anticholinergic activity may oppose the cholinesterase-inhibiting effect of galantamine and reduce its benefit in dementia. Both drugs may also contribute to bradycardia or arrhythmia in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Galantamine 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; Galantamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between antimuscarinic effects and cholinesterase inhibition.
What to do
Prefer a less anticholinergic antidepressant in patients with dementia. If combined, monitor cognition, heart rate and ECG as appropriate.
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 Galantamine
- Galantamine + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Galantamine + Physostigmine Major
- Galantamine + Ponesimod Major
- Galantamine + Rivastigmine Major
- Amifampridine + Galantamine Moderate
- Amiodarone + Galantamine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Galantamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Galantamine 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's anticholinergic activity may oppose the cholinesterase-inhibiting effect of galantamine and reduce its benefit in dementia. Both drugs may also contribute to bradycardia or arrhythmia in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Galantamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer a less anticholinergic antidepressant in patients with dementia. If combined, monitor cognition, heart rate and ECG as appropriate.
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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