Drug interactions
Desipramine + Rizatriptan
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Rizatriptan: 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
Co-administration of a triptan with a tricyclic antidepressant has rarely been associated with serotonin syndrome. The risk is low but the outcome can be serious if it occurs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Rizatriptan 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; Rizatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects (5-HT1B/1D agonism plus inhibition of serotonin reuptake).
What to do
Monitor for features of serotonin toxicity such as agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus, especially at initiation or dose increase. Stop both agents if it develops.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Desipramine and Rizatriptan, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Rizatriptan
- Almotriptan + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Rizatriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Rizatriptan 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. Co-administration of a triptan with a tricyclic antidepressant has rarely been associated with serotonin syndrome. The risk is low but the outcome can be serious if it occurs.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Rizatriptan?
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 features of serotonin toxicity such as agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus, especially at initiation or dose increase. Stop both agents if it develops.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
