Drug interactions
Desipramine + Sufentanil
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Sufentanil: 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
Combining a tricyclic antidepressant with an opioid can increase sedation and respiratory depression. Tricyclics may also add serotonergic and hypotensive effects with some opioids.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Sufentanil 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; Sufentanil belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression, with possible minor serotonergic contribution.
What to do
Use the lowest effective opioid dose and monitor sedation, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Watch for signs of serotonin toxicity at initiation and dose changes.
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
Other interactions of Sufentanil
- Alprazolam + Sufentanil Major
- Amitriptyline + Sufentanil Major
- Amobarbital + Sufentanil Major
- Aripiprazole + Sufentanil Major
- Asenapine + Sufentanil Major
- Baclofen + Sufentanil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Sufentanil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Sufentanil 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. Combining a tricyclic antidepressant with an opioid can increase sedation and respiratory depression. Tricyclics may also add serotonergic and hypotensive effects with some opioids.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Sufentanil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective opioid dose and monitor sedation, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Watch for signs of serotonin toxicity at initiation and dose changes.
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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