Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine 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 can enhance the pressor response to direct-acting sympathomimetics and reduce the response to indirect ones such as ephedrine, making the effect unpredictable. Hypertension and arrhythmias have been reported.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Imipramine blocks norepinephrine reuptake and the neuronal uptake of indirect sympathomimetics.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate and start with low doses of ephedrine, titrating to effect. Prefer a direct-acting agent in a perioperative setting if a pressor is needed, with careful dosing.
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 Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ephedrine with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine 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 can enhance the pressor response to direct-acting sympathomimetics and reduce the response to indirect ones such as ephedrine, making the effect unpredictable. Hypertension and arrhythmias have been reported.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine 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 blood pressure and heart rate and start with low doses of ephedrine, titrating to effect. Prefer a direct-acting agent in a perioperative setting if a pressor is needed, with careful dosing.
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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