Drug interactions
Desipramine + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Olanzapine: 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 cause sedation and have anticholinergic effects, and both have some potential to prolong the QT interval. Desipramine may also increase olanzapine exposure via CYP2D6 competition, though olanzapine is mainly cleared by CYP1A2.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Olanzapine 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; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, anticholinergic effects and QT prolongation.
What to do
Monitor sedation, anticholinergic effects and orthostatic blood pressure, and obtain an ECG if there are other QT risk factors. Use the lowest effective doses.
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 Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Olanzapine 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 cause sedation and have anticholinergic effects, and both have some potential to prolong the QT interval. Desipramine may also increase olanzapine exposure via CYP2D6 competition, though olanzapine is mainly cleared by CYP1A2.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Olanzapine?
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 sedation, anticholinergic effects and orthostatic blood pressure, and obtain an ECG if there are other QT risk factors. Use the lowest effective doses.
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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