Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Doxylamine
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Doxylamine: 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
Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine with marked anticholinergic activity, and amitriptyline shares these properties. Together they increase drowsiness, impaired alertness and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Doxylamine 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; Doxylamine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive central H1 antagonism and muscarinic receptor blockade.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible, especially in older patients, and counsel about driving and alcohol. Monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects if use cannot be avoided.
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 Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxylamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Doxylamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Doxylamine 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. Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine with marked anticholinergic activity, and amitriptyline shares these properties. Together they increase drowsiness, impaired alertness and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Doxylamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible, especially in older patients, and counsel about driving and alcohol. Monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects if use cannot be avoided.
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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