Drug interactions
Ethanol + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Ethanol 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
Alcohol augments the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of imipramine. Heavy or acute intake can cause marked drowsiness, impaired judgement and hypotension, and overdose risk is higher in people who misuse alcohol. Chronic alcohol use may also alter tricyclic metabolism.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression; alcohol may also alter hepatic metabolism of imipramine.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking imipramine. If alcohol is used, counsel on impaired driving and reassess suicide risk in patients with alcohol misuse.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethanol with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethanol 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. Alcohol augments the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of imipramine. Heavy or acute intake can cause marked drowsiness, impaired judgement and hypotension, and overdose risk is higher in people who misuse alcohol. Chronic alcohol use may also alter tricyclic metabolism.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol 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: Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking imipramine. If alcohol is used, counsel on impaired driving and reassess suicide risk in patients with alcohol misuse.
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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