Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Pilocarpine
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Pilocarpine: 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's anticholinergic activity opposes the muscarinic agonism of pilocarpine, so the benefit of pilocarpine for dry mouth may be reduced. Amitriptyline itself commonly causes dry mouth.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Pilocarpine 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; Pilocarpine belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between muscarinic receptor blockade and muscarinic agonism.
What to do
Assess response of dry mouth symptoms and consider a less anticholinergic antidepressant if pilocarpine is ineffective. Dose adjustment of pilocarpine may be needed.
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 Pilocarpine
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atropine + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Betaxolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bethanechol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bisoprolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Pilocarpine 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's anticholinergic activity opposes the muscarinic agonism of pilocarpine, so the benefit of pilocarpine for dry mouth may be reduced. Amitriptyline itself commonly causes dry mouth.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Assess response of dry mouth symptoms and consider a less anticholinergic antidepressant if pilocarpine is ineffective. Dose adjustment of pilocarpine may be needed.
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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