Drug interactions
Imipramine + Morphine
Severity: Moderate
Imipramine and Morphine: 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 can add to morphine's sedation and respiratory depression, and tricyclics may increase morphine exposure and analgesic effect in some patients. Serotonin syndrome is a theoretical concern with this combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Morphine 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; Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and serotonergic effects, with possible pharmacokinetic increase in morphine levels.
What to do
Start low and titrate, monitoring sedation, respiratory rate and signs of serotonin toxicity. Reduce the morphine dose if excessive sedation 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 Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine 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 Morphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imipramine and Morphine 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 can add to morphine's sedation and respiratory depression, and tricyclics may increase morphine exposure and analgesic effect in some patients. Serotonin syndrome is a theoretical concern with this combination.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Morphine?
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 low and titrate, monitoring sedation, respiratory rate and signs of serotonin toxicity. Reduce the morphine dose if excessive sedation occurs.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine page.
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