Drug interactions
Hydromorphone + Imipramine
Severity: Moderate
Hydromorphone 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 is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant. Combined with hydromorphone it increases drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression, and anticholinergic effects such as constipation and urinary retention may be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydromorphone 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.
Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonism and tricyclic antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity.
What to do
Start with low doses and monitor sedation, breathing and bowel and bladder function. Reduce doses if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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 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 Hydromorphone with Imipramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydromorphone 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 is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant. Combined with hydromorphone it increases drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression, and anticholinergic effects such as constipation and urinary retention may be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Hydromorphone 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: Start with low doses and monitor sedation, breathing and bowel and bladder function. Reduce doses if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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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