Drug interactions
Imipramine + Levofloxacin
Severity: Major
Imipramine and Levofloxacin: 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
Both agents can prolong the QT interval, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes when combined. Additional risk factors include hypokalemia, bradycardia and structural heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Levofloxacin 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.
Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive blockade of cardiac potassium channels delaying repolarization.
What to do
Avoid if a suitable non-fluoroquinolone is available. Otherwise obtain a baseline ECG, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc.
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?
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Other interactions of Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
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 Imipramine with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Imipramine and Levofloxacin 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. Both agents can prolong the QT interval, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes when combined. Additional risk factors include hypokalemia, bradycardia and structural heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Levofloxacin?
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 if a suitable non-fluoroquinolone is available. Otherwise obtain a baseline ECG, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc.
What other medicines interact with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levofloxacin with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Levofloxacin page.
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