Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Brimonidine
Severity: Minor
Amitriptyline and Brimonidine: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Brimonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that can cause drowsiness, and systemic absorption from eye drops is small but real. Use with a sedating tricyclic may add to drowsiness, and tricyclics can possibly reduce the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of brimonidine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Brimonidine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Brimonidine belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, and possible pharmacodynamic antagonism of alpha-2 effects by the tricyclic.
What to do
Counsel patients about drowsiness. Monitor intraocular pressure control if the tricyclic is started.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Brimonidine
- Brimonidine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Brimonidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Amitriptyline and Brimonidine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Brimonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that can cause drowsiness, and systemic absorption from eye drops is small but real. Use with a sedating tricyclic may add to drowsiness, and tricyclics can possibly reduce the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of brimonidine.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Brimonidine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients about drowsiness. Monitor intraocular pressure control if the tricyclic is started.
What other medicines interact with Amitriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amitriptyline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Amitriptyline page.
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