Drug interactions
Desipramine + Liothyronine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Liothyronine: 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 hormones can increase sensitivity to catecholamines, and tricyclic antidepressants also potentiate adrenergic effects. Together they may increase the risk of tachycardia and arrhythmias, and may speed the antidepressant response. The effect is most relevant with higher thyroid doses or underlying cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Liothyronine 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; Liothyronine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Increased adrenergic receptor sensitivity from thyroid hormone, adding to the noradrenergic effects of desipramine.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, rhythm and thyroid function. Reduce the thyroid or antidepressant dose if arrhythmia or marked CNS stimulation occurs.
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 Liothyronine
- Alogliptin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Liothyronine Moderate
- Canagliflozin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Liothyronine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Liothyronine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Liothyronine 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 hormones can increase sensitivity to catecholamines, and tricyclic antidepressants also potentiate adrenergic effects. Together they may increase the risk of tachycardia and arrhythmias, and may speed the antidepressant response. The effect is most relevant with higher thyroid doses or underlying cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Liothyronine?
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 heart rate, rhythm and thyroid function. Reduce the thyroid or antidepressant dose if arrhythmia or marked CNS stimulation occurs.
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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