Drug interactions
Desipramine + Marijuana
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Marijuana: 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
Cannabis can add to the sedation and cognitive impairment of desipramine, and its use with tricyclics has been linked to tachycardia. Cannabidiol may inhibit CYP2D6 and raise desipramine concentrations to a modest degree.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Marijuana 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and tachycardia, with possible CYP2D6 inhibition by cannabinoids.
What to do
Counsel patients about additive sedation and impaired driving, and monitor heart rate. Watch for tricyclic toxicity or consider checking desipramine levels with heavy cannabinoid use.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Marijuana?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Marijuana 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. Cannabis can add to the sedation and cognitive impairment of desipramine, and its use with tricyclics has been linked to tachycardia. Cannabidiol may inhibit CYP2D6 and raise desipramine concentrations to a modest degree.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Marijuana?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients about additive sedation and impaired driving, and monitor heart rate. Watch for tricyclic toxicity or consider checking desipramine levels with heavy cannabinoid use.
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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