Drug interactions
Desipramine + Maprotiline
Severity: Major
Desipramine and Maprotiline: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 are tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants with additive effects on cardiac conduction, anticholinergic burden and seizure threshold. Combining them raises the risk of QT/QRS prolongation, arrhythmia, seizures and serotonergic toxicity without a clear therapeutic gain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Maprotiline can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System; Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive sodium and potassium channel blockade plus overlapping monoamine reuptake inhibition and lowering of seizure threshold.
What to do
Avoid combining two antidepressants of this class; choose a single agent. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline and follow-up ECG and monitor for seizures and anticholinergic toxicity.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
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 Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Maprotiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Desipramine and Maprotiline can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs are tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants with additive effects on cardiac conduction, anticholinergic burden and seizure threshold. Combining them raises the risk of QT/QRS prolongation, arrhythmia, seizures and serotonergic toxicity without a clear therapeutic gain.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Maprotiline?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining two antidepressants of this class; choose a single agent. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline and follow-up ECG and monitor for seizures and anticholinergic toxicity.
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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