What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Desipramine and linezolid
Desipramine's FDA label of July 9, 2025 names linezolid in its contraindications section; linezolid's label does not name desipramine itself but warns about its class (Tricyclic antidepressants). The desipramine label: “Starting NORPRAMIN in a patient who is being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.”
Check it at the source: the desipramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026, Hospira, Inc.).
What does the desipramine label say about linezolid?
Desipramine label, contraindicationsStarting desipramine hydrochloride tablets in a patient who is being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Desipramine label, warningsSerotonin Syndrome: The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and SSRIs, including desipramine hydrochloride tablets, alone but particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).
Source: FDA drug label (Norpramin, NDA014399), Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC, effective July 3, 2025 (SPL set 70b562ea-9f21-4e4a-b3ed-0590b2892f6a), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (DESIPRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE), Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective July 9, 2025 (SPL set cad14805-64d8-4257-b5f1-d56e0063f0e2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the linezolid label say about desipramine?
Linezolid's label does not name desipramine itself; it warns about its class (Tricyclic antidepressants):
Linezolid label, warnings and precautionsSpontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome including fatal cases associated with the concomitant use of linezolid and serotonergic agents have been reported. Commonly used serotonergic agents include serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), and opioids, including meperidine.
Linezolid label, warnings and precautionsSpontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome including fatal cases associated with the concomitant use of ZYVOX and serotonergic agents have been reported. Commonly used serotonergic agents include serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, serotonin 5‑HT1 receptor agonists (triptans), and opioids, including meperidine.
Source: FDA drug label (Linezolid), Hospira, Inc., effective June 19, 2026 (SPL set c401f1a8-cc37-461b-bfef-f2e156629bf8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Desipramine | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Bacterial infections |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.276 per tablet 75 mg tablet | $1.44 per tablet 600 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once