Drug interactions
Etravirine + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Etravirine 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
Etravirine inhibits CYP2C19, which contributes to imipramine demethylation to desipramine, so imipramine exposure may rise. Higher levels can increase anticholinergic effects, sedation and cardiac conduction effects. Etravirine is also a modest CYP3A4 inducer, which makes the net effect variable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etravirine 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.
Etravirine belongs to Anti Virals; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Etravirine inhibits CYP2C19-mediated metabolism of imipramine.
What to do
Monitor for tricyclic toxicity such as anticholinergic effects, sedation and ECG changes, and consider checking tricyclic levels. Reduce the imipramine dose if adverse effects 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?
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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 Etravirine
- Efavirenz + Etravirine Contraindicated
- Etravirine + Isavuconazole Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Etravirine Major
- Apalutamide + Etravirine Major
- Carbamazepine + Etravirine Major
- Cobicistat + Etravirine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etravirine with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Etravirine 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. Etravirine inhibits CYP2C19, which contributes to imipramine demethylation to desipramine, so imipramine exposure may rise. Higher levels can increase anticholinergic effects, sedation and cardiac conduction effects. Etravirine is also a modest CYP3A4 inducer, which makes the net effect variable.
How serious is the interaction between Etravirine 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 tricyclic toxicity such as anticholinergic effects, sedation and ECG changes, and consider checking tricyclic levels. Reduce the imipramine dose if adverse effects 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.
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