Drug interactions
Dosulepin + Hydromorphone
Severity: Moderate
Dosulepin and Hydromorphone: 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
Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and combining it with an opioid increases drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression. Tricyclics also have anticholinergic effects that may add to opioid-related constipation and urinary retention.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dosulepin and Hydromorphone 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.
Dosulepin belongs to Central Nervous System; Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects of opioid agonism and tricyclic antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity.
What to do
Start at low doses and titrate carefully, monitoring sedation and breathing. Watch for constipation and urinary retention.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Dosulepin
- Dosulepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Dosulepin Major
- Buprenorphine + Dosulepin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dosulepin with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dosulepin and Hydromorphone 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. Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant, and combining it with an opioid increases drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression. Tricyclics also have anticholinergic effects that may add to opioid-related constipation and urinary retention.
How serious is the interaction between Dosulepin and Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start at low doses and titrate carefully, monitoring sedation and breathing. Watch for constipation and urinary retention.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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