What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Desipramine and quinine
Quinine's FDA label of November 9, 2023 names desipramine in its drug interactions (prescription label) section; the desipramine labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name quinine. The quinine label: “Desipramine (CYP2D6 Substrate) Quinine (750 mg/day for 2 days) decreased the metabolism of desipramine in patients who were extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers, but had no effect in patients who were poor CYP2D6 metabolizers.”
Check it at the source: the desipramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the quinine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 9, 2023).
What does the desipramine label say about quinine?
Desipramine's label (effective July 9, 2025) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name quinine in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
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 quinine label say about desipramine?
Quinine label, drug interactions (prescription label)Desipramine (CYP2D6 Substrate) Quinine (750 mg/day for 2 days) decreased the metabolism of desipramine in patients who were extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers, but had no effect in patients who were poor CYP2D6 metabolizers.
Source: FDA drug label (Chininum sulphuricum), Boiron, effective November 9, 2023 (SPL set 33885950-2a55-11e7-8288-424c58303031), 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 | Quinine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.276 per tablet 75 mg tablet | $0.698 per capsule 324 mg capsule |
| 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