Drug interactions
Desipramine + Sumatriptan
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Sumatriptan: 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
Sumatriptan used with a tricyclic antidepressant may rarely lead to serotonin syndrome. Most patients tolerate the combination, but those with additional serotonergic drugs are at higher risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Sumatriptan 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; Sumatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects (5-HT1B/1D agonism plus inhibition of serotonin reuptake).
What to do
Educate patients on symptoms of serotonin syndrome and monitor after starting or increasing either drug. Discontinue both and treat supportively if symptoms occur.
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 Sumatriptan
- Almotriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Sumatriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Sumatriptan 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. Sumatriptan used with a tricyclic antidepressant may rarely lead to serotonin syndrome. Most patients tolerate the combination, but those with additional serotonergic drugs are at higher risk.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Sumatriptan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Educate patients on symptoms of serotonin syndrome and monitor after starting or increasing either drug. Discontinue both and treat supportively if symptoms occur.
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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