Drug interactions
Dihydroergotamine + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Dihydroergotamine 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
Imipramine has serotonergic activity and dihydroergotamine has serotonin receptor agonist activity, so there is a theoretical risk of serotonin toxicity. Imipramine may also modestly increase vasoconstrictor sensitivity to ergots.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dihydroergotamine 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.
Dihydroergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects, from serotonin reuptake inhibition by imipramine and 5-HT1 receptor agonism by dihydroergotamine.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia, diarrhea and clonus after starting or increasing doses. Stop the combination if serotonin toxicity or signs of peripheral ischemia appear.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dihydroergotamine and Imipramine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Dihydroergotamine
- Almotriptan + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dopamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Eletriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dihydroergotamine with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dihydroergotamine 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. Imipramine has serotonergic activity and dihydroergotamine has serotonin receptor agonist activity, so there is a theoretical risk of serotonin toxicity. Imipramine may also modestly increase vasoconstrictor sensitivity to ergots.
How serious is the interaction between Dihydroergotamine 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 agitation, tremor, hyperthermia, diarrhea and clonus after starting or increasing doses. Stop the combination if serotonin toxicity or signs of peripheral ischemia appear.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
