Drug interactions
Imipramine + Zolpidem
Severity: Moderate
Imipramine and Zolpidem: 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 is sedating and, with zolpidem, can cause additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Hallucinations and complex sleep behaviors have been reported with zolpidem and imipramine in some cases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imipramine and Zolpidem 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; Zolpidem belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and tricyclic receptor blockade; imipramine may also alter zolpidem effects pharmacodynamically.
What to do
Use the lowest effective zolpidem dose and counsel about driving and falls. Monitor for excess sedation, confusion and unusual sleep-related behaviors.
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 Zolpidem, 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 Zolpidem
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 Zolpidem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imipramine and Zolpidem 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 is sedating and, with zolpidem, can cause additive drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Hallucinations and complex sleep behaviors have been reported with zolpidem and imipramine in some cases.
How serious is the interaction between Imipramine and Zolpidem?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective zolpidem dose and counsel about driving and falls. Monitor for excess sedation, confusion and unusual sleep-related behaviors.
What other medicines interact with Zolpidem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zolpidem with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Zolpidem 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.
