Drug interactions
Desipramine + Trihexyphenidyl
Severity: Moderate
Desipramine and Trihexyphenidyl: 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
Both agents have antimuscarinic activity, so combining them can intensify dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia and confusion. Older patients are at greatest risk of delirium and severe constipation or ileus.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desipramine and Trihexyphenidyl 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; Trihexyphenidyl belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic antagonism of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
What to do
Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity, especially cognitive effects and urinary or bowel problems. Use the lowest effective trihexyphenidyl dose, or choose a less anticholinergic antidepressant in the elderly.
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 Trihexyphenidyl
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desipramine with Trihexyphenidyl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desipramine and Trihexyphenidyl 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. Both agents have antimuscarinic activity, so combining them can intensify dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia and confusion. Older patients are at greatest risk of delirium and severe constipation or ileus.
How serious is the interaction between Desipramine and Trihexyphenidyl?
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 anticholinergic toxicity, especially cognitive effects and urinary or bowel problems. Use the lowest effective trihexyphenidyl dose, or choose a less anticholinergic antidepressant in the elderly.
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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