Drug interactions
Desipramine + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Oxazepam: 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
The combination can produce additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Desipramine is less sedating than other tricyclics, but impairment of driving and coordination remains possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Oxazepam 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; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from benzodiazepine GABA-A enhancement and tricyclic antihistaminic and anticholinergic effects.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and dizziness, particularly in older patients. Adjust the oxazepam dose if impairment occurs.
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 Oxazepam
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxazepam Contraindicated
- Oxazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Oxazepam Major
- Amobarbital + Oxazepam Major
- Baclofen + Oxazepam Major
- Belladonna and opium + Oxazepam 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 Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Oxazepam 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. The combination can produce additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Desipramine is less sedating than other tricyclics, but impairment of driving and coordination remains possible.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Oxazepam?
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 for excessive sedation and dizziness, particularly in older patients. Adjust the oxazepam dose if impairment occurs.
What other medicines interact with Oxazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Oxazepam page.
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