What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Desipramine and paroxetine
Desipramine's FDA label of July 9, 2025 names paroxetine in its drug interactions section, and paroxetine's label names desipramine too. The paroxetine label: “Plasma TCA concentrations may need to be monitored and the TCA dosage may need to be reduced if a TCA is used concomitantly with BRISDELLE. Monitor tolerability.”
Check it at the source: the desipramine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025, Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.); the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the desipramine label say about paroxetine?
Desipramine label, drug interactionsWhile all the SSRIs, e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, inhibit P450 2D6, they may vary in the extent of inhibition.
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 paroxetine label say about desipramine?
Paroxetine label, drug interactionsExamples; propafenone, flecainide, atomoxetine, desipramine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine, venlafaxine, risperidone.
Brisdelle label (Legacy Pharma USA, Inc., April 28, 2025), drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Name: Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) (e.g., Desipramine); Effect of Paroxetine on Other Drugs: Increased plasma concentrations and elimination half-life; Clinical Recommendations: Plasma TCA concentrations may need to be monitored and the TCA dosage may need to be reduced if a TCA is used concomitantly with BRISDELLE. Monitor tolerability.
Source: FDA drug label (Brisdelle, NDA204516), Legacy Pharma USA, Inc., effective April 28, 2025 (SPL set 502311b3-b617-4cbd-a3ab-a60f2c62880a), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Paroxetine), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective February 12, 2026 (SPL set 89dd7e24-85fc-4152-89ea-47ec2b48a1ed), 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 | Paroxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.276 per tablet 75 mg tablet | $0.0611 per tablet 20 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