Skip to content

Drug interactions

Amitriptyline + Midazolam intranasal

Severity: Major

Amitriptyline and Midazolam intranasal: major 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

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine, and amitriptyline is also sedating, so concurrent use can deepen sedation and respiratory depression. The risk of airway compromise and hypoventilation is higher in older adults and in patients with respiratory disease.

What this interaction means in plain words

Amitriptyline and Midazolam intranasal can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS and respiratory depression through GABA-A potentiation and sedating antihistaminic and anticholinergic effects.

What to do

Use the lowest effective midazolam dose and monitor respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and level of consciousness. Ensure resuscitation equipment is available and reduce the dose in older or frail patients.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amitriptyline and Midazolam intranasal, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Amitriptyline with Midazolam intranasal?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amitriptyline and Midazolam intranasal can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine, and amitriptyline is also sedating, so concurrent use can deepen sedation and respiratory depression. The risk of airway compromise and hypoventilation is higher in older adults and in patients with respiratory disease.

How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Midazolam intranasal?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective midazolam dose and monitor respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and level of consciousness. Ensure resuscitation equipment is available and reduce the dose in older or frail patients.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in