Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Chlordiazepoxide
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide: moderate 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
Amitriptyline is a sedating tricyclic and adds to benzodiazepine-related drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and confusion. Anticholinergic effects may compound cognitive impairment in older patients. The combination is sometimes marketed as a fixed-dose product but still requires monitoring.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Chlordiazepoxide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation and H1, muscarinic and alpha-1 blockade by amitriptyline.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, confusion and orthostatic hypotension, and use the lowest effective doses. Avoid in older adults where possible.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Chlordiazepoxide
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Amitriptyline is a sedating tricyclic and adds to benzodiazepine-related drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and confusion. Anticholinergic effects may compound cognitive impairment in older patients. The combination is sometimes marketed as a fixed-dose product but still requires monitoring.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation, confusion and orthostatic hypotension, and use the lowest effective doses. Avoid in older adults where possible.
What other medicines interact with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlordiazepoxide with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlordiazepoxide page.
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