Drug interactions
Desipramine + Levothyroxine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Levothyroxine: 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
Thyroid hormone can enhance the sensitivity of adrenergic receptors, and with tricyclic antidepressants this may increase the risk of tachycardia and arrhythmias. It may also speed the antidepressant effect, but it can also cause CNS stimulation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Levothyroxine 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; Levothyroxine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Thyroid hormone increases catecholamine receptor sensitivity, adding to the noradrenergic reuptake inhibition of desipramine.
What to do
Keep thyroid replacement at the dose that gives normal thyroid function and avoid overreplacement. Monitor heart rate, rhythm and signs of tricyclic toxicity when doses change.
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 Levothyroxine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Levothyroxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Levothyroxine 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. Thyroid hormone can enhance the sensitivity of adrenergic receptors, and with tricyclic antidepressants this may increase the risk of tachycardia and arrhythmias. It may also speed the antidepressant effect, but it can also cause CNS stimulation.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Levothyroxine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep thyroid replacement at the dose that gives normal thyroid function and avoid overreplacement. Monitor heart rate, rhythm and signs of tricyclic toxicity when doses change.
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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