Drug interactions
Imipramine + Modafinil
Severity: Moderate
Imipramine and Modafinil: 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
Modafinil may inhibit CYP2C19 and raise imipramine and desipramine exposure in some patients, particularly CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. This can increase anticholinergic and cardiac effects, while the two drugs have opposing effects on alertness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Modafinil 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Modafinil belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Modafinil inhibition of CYP2C19 reduces imipramine demethylation.
What to do
Monitor for tricyclic adverse effects such as tachycardia, dry mouth and sedation, and measure tricyclic levels if toxicity is suspected. Reduce imipramine dose as needed.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Imipramine and Modafinil, 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.
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 Modafinil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Imipramine with Modafinil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imipramine and Modafinil 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. Modafinil may inhibit CYP2C19 and raise imipramine and desipramine exposure in some patients, particularly CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. This can increase anticholinergic and cardiac effects, while the two drugs have opposing effects on alertness.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Modafinil?
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 adverse effects such as tachycardia, dry mouth and sedation, and measure tricyclic levels if toxicity is suspected. Reduce imipramine dose as needed.
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.
