Drug interactions
Guanfacine + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Guanfacine 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
Tricyclic antidepressants may reduce the antihypertensive effect of centrally acting alpha-2 agonists. Guanfacine's effect may be weakened, and blood pressure control may worsen. Additive sedation and hypotension may also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Guanfacine 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.
Guanfacine belongs to Cardiovascular; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Probable pharmacodynamic antagonism via alpha-adrenergic effects of tricyclics, as described for clonidine; the mechanism for guanfacine is less well established.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and clinical response, and adjust guanfacine if efficacy is lost. Consider an alternative antihypertensive if control is inadequate.
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 Guanfacine
- Clonidine + Guanfacine Major
- Guanfacine + Lofexidine Major
- Aldesleukin + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amiodarone + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amisulpride + Guanfacine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Guanfacine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Guanfacine with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Guanfacine 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. Tricyclic antidepressants may reduce the antihypertensive effect of centrally acting alpha-2 agonists. Guanfacine's effect may be weakened, and blood pressure control may worsen. Additive sedation and hypotension may also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Guanfacine 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 clinical response, and adjust guanfacine if efficacy is lost. Consider an alternative antihypertensive if control is inadequate.
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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