Drug interactions
Imipramine + Pitolisant
Severity: Moderate
Imipramine and Pitolisant: 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 has strong H1-antagonist activity and crosses the blood-brain barrier, which may counteract the histamine-enhancing wakefulness effect of pitolisant. Pitolisant is also QT-prolonging, and imipramine can add to this effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Pitolisant 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; Pitolisant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at central H1 receptors, and additive QT effects.
What to do
Monitor for reduced pitolisant efficacy and consider an alternative to the tricyclic. Check ECG if other QT risk factors exist.
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 Imipramine
- Dronedarone + Imipramine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Imipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Pitolisant
- Alfuzosin + Pitolisant Major
- Amiodarone + Pitolisant Major
- Amisulpride + Pitolisant Major
- Anagrelide + Pitolisant Major
- Asenapine + Pitolisant Major
- Bupropion + Pitolisant Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Imipramine with Pitolisant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imipramine and Pitolisant 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 has strong H1-antagonist activity and crosses the blood-brain barrier, which may counteract the histamine-enhancing wakefulness effect of pitolisant. Pitolisant is also QT-prolonging, and imipramine can add to this effect.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Pitolisant?
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 reduced pitolisant efficacy and consider an alternative to the tricyclic. Check ECG if other QT risk factors exist.
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.
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