Drug interactions
Desipramine + Tacrolimus
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Tacrolimus: 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
Tacrolimus and tricyclic antidepressants like desipramine may each prolong the QT interval, so together they can add to the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia. Transplant patients often have electrolyte disturbances that increase this risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Tacrolimus 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; Tacrolimus belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation.
What to do
Monitor the ECG at baseline and after changes in dose, and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Reassess the combination if the QTc rises substantially.
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 Tacrolimus
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Tacrolimus 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. Tacrolimus and tricyclic antidepressants like desipramine may each prolong the QT interval, so together they can add to the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia. Transplant patients often have electrolyte disturbances that increase this risk.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Tacrolimus?
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 the ECG at baseline and after changes in dose, and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Reassess the combination if the QTc rises substantially.
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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