Desipramine and Kaletra

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Using desipramine together with ritonavir may increase the effects of desipramine. Contact your doctor if you experience uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, vomiting, blurred vision, dry mouth, confusion, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, feeling hot or cold, constipation, and urinary retention. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration with ritonavir may increase the plasma concentrations of desipramine. The mechanism is ritonavir inhibition of CYP450 2D6, the isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic clearance of desipramine. In an open label study consisting of 14 healthy volunteers, ritonavir (500 mg orally every 12 hours) increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and half-life of desipramine (100 mg single dose) by approximately 145% and 100%, respectively. It is not known to what extent, if any, the interaction may occur when ritonavir is used in lower dosages as a pharmacokinetic booster. No interaction was observed when desipramine was given with lopinavir-ritonavir in drug interaction studies.

MANAGEMENT: A reduction in desipramine dosage should be considered in patients treated with antiretroviral dosages of ritonavir. In patients stabilized on desipramine, clinical and laboratory monitoring of antidepressant response is recommended whenever ritonavir is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the dosage adjusted accordingly. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience excessive tricyclic antidepressant effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, irregular or fast heartbeat, constipation, urinary retention, dizziness, or orthostatic hypotension.

Desipramine

Generic Name: desipramine

Brand name: Norpramin

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Desipramine?

Kaletra

Generic Name: lopinavir / ritonavir

Brand name: Kaletra

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Kaletra?