Drug interactions
Desipramine + Lofexidine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Lofexidine: 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
Lofexidine causes sedation, hypotension, bradycardia and QT prolongation, and desipramine adds sedation and arrhythmia risk. Tricyclics may also blunt the central alpha-2 agonist effect of lofexidine, so opioid withdrawal control may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Lofexidine 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; Lofexidine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and QT prolongation, with possible pharmacodynamic antagonism of alpha-2 agonist effects by tricyclics.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and the ECG, and correct electrolyte abnormalities. Assess withdrawal symptom control and adjust the lofexidine dose accordingly.
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 Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Lofexidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Lofexidine 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. Lofexidine causes sedation, hypotension, bradycardia and QT prolongation, and desipramine adds sedation and arrhythmia risk. Tricyclics may also blunt the central alpha-2 agonist effect of lofexidine, so opioid withdrawal control may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Lofexidine?
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 blood pressure, heart rate and the ECG, and correct electrolyte abnormalities. Assess withdrawal symptom control and adjust the lofexidine dose accordingly.
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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