Drug interactions
Dexchlorpheniramine + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Dexchlorpheniramine and Imipramine: 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 drugs are sedating and anticholinergic, so the combination can cause marked drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and confusion. Elderly patients are at higher risk of falls and delirium.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexchlorpheniramine and Imipramine 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.
Dexchlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Monitor for oversedation and anticholinergic toxicity, and prefer a non-sedating antihistamine. Counsel against driving until response is known.
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 Imipramine
- Dronedarone + Imipramine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Dexchlorpheniramine
- Alprazolam + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amisulpride + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Asenapine + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Azelastine-fluticasone + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexchlorpheniramine with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexchlorpheniramine and Imipramine 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 drugs are sedating and anticholinergic, so the combination can cause marked drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and confusion. Elderly patients are at higher risk of falls and delirium.
How serious is the interaction between Dexchlorpheniramine and Imipramine?
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 oversedation and anticholinergic toxicity, and prefer a non-sedating antihistamine. Counsel against driving until response is known.
What other medicines interact with Imipramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Imipramine with, for example, Dronedarone, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Imipramine page.
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