What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Desipramine and desvenlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine's FDA label of January 27, 2023 names desipramine in its drug interactions section; desipramine's label does not name desvenlafaxine itself but warns about its class (SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)). The desvenlafaxine label: “Substrates primarily metabolized by CYP2D6 should be dosed at the original level when co-administered with desvenlafaxine 100 mg or lower or when desvenlafaxine is discontinued.”
Check it at the source: the desipramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the desvenlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2023, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited).
What does the desipramine label say about desvenlafaxine?
Desipramine's label does not name desvenlafaxine itself; it warns about its class (SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)):
Desipramine label, warningsThe 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. …
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 desvenlafaxine label say about desipramine?
Desvenlafaxine label, drug interactionsSubstrates primarily metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., desipramine, atomoxetine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine) should be dosed at the original level when co-administered with desvenlafaxine 100 mg or lower or when desvenlafaxine is discontinued.
Pristiq Extended-Release label (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., April 28, 2026), drug interactionsExamples; desipramine, atomoxetine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine
Source: FDA drug label (Pristiq Extended-Release, NDA021992), Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., effective April 28, 2026 (SPL set 0f43610c-f290-46ea-d186-4f998ed99fce), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Desvenlafaxine), Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, effective January 27, 2023 (SPL set 9f74708c-6f6a-46cf-8c79-87a25c2bb6f8), 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 | Desvenlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.276 per tablet 75 mg tablet | $0.396 per unit 50 mg |
| 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