Abametapir and Clomipramine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jun 30, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Abametapir
No brand names on recordClomipramine
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Abametapir is a lotion used to treat head lice. Even though you put it on your scalp, a little gets into your body, where it can slow down a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. That enzyme is one of the ways your body clears clomipramine, a medicine for depression and OCD.
If that enzyme is blocked, clomipramine can build up higher than expected. That could mean more side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, a fast heartbeat, or feeling dizzy. The good news is this is easy to plan around. Your pharmacist or doctor can look at the timing of the lice treatment and your clomipramine and manage it safely, so talk with them first.
Mechanism: Abametapir inhibits CYP1A2. Clomipramine is partly metabolized by CYP1A2 (in addition to CYP2D6/CYP2C19), so co-exposure may increase clomipramine AUC and Cmax, raising risk of anticholinergic effects, sedation, seizure threshold lowering, and QT/cardiac effects.
- Direction: increased clomipramine exposure (enzyme inhibition; not a prodrug).
- Evidence: theoretical.
- Severity/Onset: major; onset unspecified. Enzyme inhibition from a single topical application may persist.
- Management: Avoid CYP1A2 substrates for 2 weeks after abametapir application; if unavoidable, avoid abametapir. If used together, monitor for TCA toxicity and consider individualized dosing.
What happens
Increased exposure of CYP1A2 substrates
Interaction Deep Dive
Do not administer CYP1A2 substrates during the 2-week period following abametapir application. Should avoiding these substrates not be possible, refrain from using abametapir 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP1A2-mediated metabolism by abametapir
How to manage this interaction
Both medicines can usually be handled safely with a little planning by your care team.
- Keep taking your clomipramine as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Before using an abametapir lice lotion, tell your pharmacist or prescriber that you take clomipramine. The guidance on file is to avoid CYP1A2 medicines like clomipramine for 2 weeks after applying abametapir; if that is not possible, the abametapir may be avoided instead.
- Your team may watch you more closely or adjust and individualize your dosing if both are needed.
- Report new drowsiness, dry mouth, confusion, dizziness, or a racing heartbeat.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abametapir and Clomipramine together?
Abametapir can raise clomipramine levels by slowing its breakdown, so avoid combining them for two weeks after the lice treatment. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using both. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abametapir and Clomipramine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Abametapir and Clomipramine interaction managed?
Both medicines can usually be handled safely with a little planning by your care team. Keep taking your clomipramine as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Before using an abametapir lice lotion, tell your pharmacist or prescriber that you take clomipramine. The guidance on file is to avoid CYP1A2 medicines like clomipramine for 2 weeks after applying abametapir; if that is not poss… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Abametapir or Clomipramine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: XEGLYZE(TM) topical lotion, abametapir topical lotion. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Inc (per FDA), Princeton, NJ, 2020. DailyMed
Keep reading about Abametapir
Keep reading about Clomipramine
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist