Skip to content

Drug interactions

Ibutilide + Imipramine

Severity: Major

Ibutilide and Imipramine: major 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

Ibutilide markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and imipramine adds to this risk. The combination can cause life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ibutilide and Imipramine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Ibutilide belongs to Cardiovascular; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization (QT interval).

What to do

Avoid giving ibutilide to patients on imipramine unless no alternative exists. If used, monitor ECG continuously and correct electrolytes beforehand.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ibutilide and Imipramine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Ibutilide with Imipramine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ibutilide and Imipramine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Ibutilide markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes, and imipramine adds to this risk. The combination can cause life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

How serious is the interaction between Ibutilide and Imipramine?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid giving ibutilide to patients on imipramine unless no alternative exists. If used, monitor ECG continuously and correct electrolytes beforehand.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in