Drug interactions
Desipramine + Nalbuphine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Nalbuphine: 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so using them together can produce more drowsiness and psychomotor impairment than either alone. Desipramine's anticholinergic effects may add to confusion and respiratory or other opioid-related adverse effects in vulnerable patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Nalbuphine 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; Nalbuphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonist-antagonist activity and tricyclic antidepressant sedative properties.
What to do
Start nalbuphine at the lower end of the dose range and titrate to effect. Monitor sedation and respiratory rate, and advise patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks.
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 Nalbuphine
- Alvimopan + Nalbuphine Contraindicated
- Nalbuphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Nalbuphine Major
- Amobarbital + Nalbuphine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Nalbuphine Major
- Brexanolone + Nalbuphine Major
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 Nalbuphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Nalbuphine 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so using them together can produce more drowsiness and psychomotor impairment than either alone. Desipramine's anticholinergic effects may add to confusion and respiratory or other opioid-related adverse effects in vulnerable patients.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Nalbuphine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start nalbuphine at the lower end of the dose range and titrate to effect. Monitor sedation and respiratory rate, and advise patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks.
What other medicines interact with Nalbuphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nalbuphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Alprazolam. The full list is on the Nalbuphine page.
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