Drug interactions
Buspirone + Duloxetine
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Duloxetine: 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
Combining a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor with buspirone adds serotonergic effect and may cause serotonin syndrome in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Duloxetine 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Duloxetine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects from duloxetine reuptake inhibition and buspirone 5-HT1A agonism.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, sweating and clonus when starting or adjusting doses; stop one drug if serotonin toxicity occurs.
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 Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Duloxetine
- Duloxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Duloxetine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Duloxetine 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. Combining a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor with buspirone adds serotonergic effect and may cause serotonin syndrome in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Duloxetine?
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 agitation, tremor, sweating and clonus when starting or adjusting doses; stop one drug if serotonin toxicity occurs.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone page.
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