Drug interactions
Buspirone + Fluvoxamine
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Fluvoxamine: 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
Fluvoxamine adds serotonergic activity to buspirone, raising the risk of serotonin syndrome. Fluvoxamine also inhibits CYP3A4 weakly and may modestly increase buspirone levels, adding to dizziness or sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Fluvoxamine 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; Fluvoxamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects plus modest CYP3A4 inhibition by fluvoxamine reducing buspirone clearance.
What to do
Start buspirone at a low dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity and excess sedation or dizziness; reduce the buspirone dose if adverse effects occur.
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 Fluvoxamine
- Agomelatine + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Fezolinetant + Fluvoxamine Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluvoxamine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Fluvoxamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Fluvoxamine 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. Fluvoxamine adds serotonergic activity to buspirone, raising the risk of serotonin syndrome. Fluvoxamine also inhibits CYP3A4 weakly and may modestly increase buspirone levels, adding to dizziness or sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Fluvoxamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start buspirone at a low dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity and excess sedation or dizziness; reduce the buspirone dose if adverse effects occur.
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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