Drug interactions
Desipramine + Pentobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Pentobarbital: 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 together they can cause excessive sedation, impaired coordination and respiratory depression. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes and may lower desipramine concentrations over time.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Pentobarbital 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, plus possible CYP enzyme induction by the barbiturate reducing desipramine exposure.
What to do
Monitor level of sedation and respiratory status, using the lowest effective doses. Watch for reduced antidepressant response during prolonged combined 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 Pentobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Pentobarbital 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 together they can cause excessive sedation, impaired coordination and respiratory depression. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes and may lower desipramine concentrations over time.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Pentobarbital?
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 level of sedation and respiratory status, using the lowest effective doses. Watch for reduced antidepressant response during prolonged combined 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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