Drug interactions
Desipramine + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Major
Desipramine and Tetrabenazine: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, especially with electrolyte disturbances or cardiac disease. Desipramine may also raise tetrabenazine-derived metabolite exposure via CYP2D6 competition.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Tetrabenazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Desipramine belongs to Central Nervous System; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QTc prolongation; possible CYP2D6 competition.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc after initiation or dose changes, and correct potassium and magnesium. Avoid the combination in patients with long QT or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
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 Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Desipramine and Tetrabenazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and combined use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, especially with electrolyte disturbances or cardiac disease. Desipramine may also raise tetrabenazine-derived metabolite exposure via CYP2D6 competition.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc after initiation or dose changes, and correct potassium and magnesium. Avoid the combination in patients with long QT or other QT-prolonging drugs.
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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