Drug interactions
Amphetamine + Dextromethorphan
Severity: Moderate
Amphetamine and Dextromethorphan: 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
Both drugs enhance serotonergic transmission, and using them together may rarely precipitate serotonin syndrome. Features include agitation, tremor, clonus, hyperthermia and autonomic instability.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amphetamine and Dextromethorphan 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.
Amphetamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Dextromethorphan belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects: amphetamine promotes serotonin release and dextromethorphan inhibits serotonin reuptake.
What to do
Monitor for signs of serotonin toxicity, especially when starting or increasing doses. Stop one or both agents if symptoms of serotonin syndrome develop.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amphetamine and Dextromethorphan, 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.
Other interactions of Dextromethorphan
- Dextromethorphan + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Dextromethorphan + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Dextromethorphan + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Dextromethorphan + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Dextromethorphan + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Dextromethorphan + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Amphetamine
- Amphetamine + Iobenguane i Major
- Amphetamine + Ozanimod Major
- Amphetamine + Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen Moderate
- Amphetamine + Buprenorphine long-acting Moderate
- Amphetamine + Epinephrine inhaled Moderate
- Amphetamine + Esketamine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amphetamine with Dextromethorphan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amphetamine and Dextromethorphan 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. Both drugs enhance serotonergic transmission, and using them together may rarely precipitate serotonin syndrome. Features include agitation, tremor, clonus, hyperthermia and autonomic instability.
How serious is the interaction between Amphetamine and Dextromethorphan?
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 signs of serotonin toxicity, especially when starting or increasing doses. Stop one or both agents if symptoms of serotonin syndrome develop.
What other medicines interact with Dextromethorphan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dextromethorphan with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Dextromethorphan 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.