Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Cyclosporin
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Cyclosporin: 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
Cyclosporine may raise amitriptyline concentrations, with a risk of anticholinergic effects, sedation and cardiac conduction changes. Case reports describe tricyclic toxicity with cyclosporine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Cyclosporin 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; Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Cyclosporine inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing amitriptyline clearance.
What to do
Use a lower amitriptyline starting dose, monitor for anticholinergic and cardiac effects, and consider ECG monitoring in at-risk patients.
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 Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
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 Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Cyclosporin 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. Cyclosporine may raise amitriptyline concentrations, with a risk of anticholinergic effects, sedation and cardiac conduction changes. Case reports describe tricyclic toxicity with cyclosporine.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use a lower amitriptyline starting dose, monitor for anticholinergic and cardiac effects, and consider ECG monitoring in at-risk patients.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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