Drug interactions
Imipramine + Pseudoephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Imipramine and Pseudoephedrine: 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 blocks norepinephrine reuptake and can change the response to pseudoephedrine. Combined use may cause hypertension, tachycardia or arrhythmia, while the effect of indirectly acting amines may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Pseudoephedrine 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; Pseudoephedrine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Tricyclic inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake and neuronal uptake of indirect sympathomimetics alters adrenergic responses.
What to do
Avoid routine use and choose non-sympathomimetic alternatives. If used, give the lowest dose briefly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
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 Pseudoephedrine, 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 Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imipramine and Pseudoephedrine 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 blocks norepinephrine reuptake and can change the response to pseudoephedrine. Combined use may cause hypertension, tachycardia or arrhythmia, while the effect of indirectly acting amines may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid routine use and choose non-sympathomimetic alternatives. If used, give the lowest dose briefly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine 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.
