Drug interactions
Desipramine + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital and desipramine both cause sedation, and combined use can increase drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance. Phenobarbital is a potent enzyme inducer that can lower desipramine levels, and tricyclics may lower the seizure threshold, opposing anticonvulsant effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Phenobarbital 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 induction of hepatic metabolism of desipramine by phenobarbital.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and for loss of antidepressant effect, and consider measuring desipramine concentrations to guide dosing. Observe seizure control in epileptic patients.
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 Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Phenobarbital 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. Phenobarbital and desipramine both cause sedation, and combined use can increase drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance. Phenobarbital is a potent enzyme inducer that can lower desipramine levels, and tricyclics may lower the seizure threshold, opposing anticonvulsant effect.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Phenobarbital?
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 sedation and for loss of antidepressant effect, and consider measuring desipramine concentrations to guide dosing. Observe seizure control in epileptic patients.
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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