Drug interactions
Bupropion + Promethazine
Severity: Moderate
Bupropion and Promethazine: 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
Bupropion strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which is involved in promethazine metabolism, so promethazine exposure may rise. Both drugs also lower seizure threshold, adding to seizure risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bupropion and Promethazine 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.
Bupropion belongs to Central Nervous System; Promethazine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6-mediated promethazine metabolism, plus additive lowering of seizure threshold.
What to do
Monitor for increased sedation, anticholinergic effects and seizures, and use lower promethazine doses if needed. Avoid the combination in patients with a seizure history.
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 Bupropion and Promethazine, 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 Promethazine
- Cabergoline + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Dopamine + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Promethazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Promethazine Major
Other interactions of Bupropion
- Bupropion + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bupropion with Promethazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bupropion and Promethazine 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. Bupropion strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which is involved in promethazine metabolism, so promethazine exposure may rise. Both drugs also lower seizure threshold, adding to seizure risk.
How serious is the interaction between Bupropion and Promethazine?
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 increased sedation, anticholinergic effects and seizures, and use lower promethazine doses if needed. Avoid the combination in patients with a seizure history.
What other medicines interact with Promethazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Promethazine with, for example, Cabergoline, Dopamine, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Promethazine 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.
