The concurrent use of
cimetidine can raise the
plasma levels of amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine and nortriptyline. Severe adverse effects have occurred in a few patients. Other tricyclic antidepressants are expected to interact similarly.
Patients taking
tricyclics and
cimetidine should be monitored for evidence of increased
toxicity (dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, constipation, tachycardia, postural hypotension). Reduce the tricyclic dose if necessary. Ranitidine does not appear to interact.