Drug interactions
Desipramine + Pseudoephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Pseudoephedrine: 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
Desipramine blocks norepinephrine reuptake and can alter how the body responds to pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic. The combination may raise blood pressure and heart rate, and can provoke arrhythmias in susceptible patients. The response is unpredictable because the tricyclic can also reduce uptake of indirectly acting amines into nerve terminals.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Pseudoephedrine 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; Pseudoephedrine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Tricyclic inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake and of neuronal uptake of indirect sympathomimetics alters adrenergic pressor responses.
What to do
Prefer non-sympathomimetic decongestant options such as saline or intranasal steroids. If pseudoephedrine is needed, use the lowest dose briefly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
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 Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Pseudoephedrine 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 blocks norepinephrine reuptake and can alter how the body responds to pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic. The combination may raise blood pressure and heart rate, and can provoke arrhythmias in susceptible patients. The response is unpredictable because the tricyclic can also reduce uptake of indirectly acting amines into nerve terminals.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer non-sympathomimetic decongestant options such as saline or intranasal steroids. If pseudoephedrine is needed, use the lowest dose briefly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine page.
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