Drug interactions
Buspirone + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Trazodone: 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 act on serotonin pathways, so additive serotonergic effects and serotonin syndrome are possible, though uncommon at usual doses. Additive sedation and dizziness can also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects from buspirone 5-HT1A agonism and trazodone 5-HT2A antagonism and weak serotonin reuptake inhibition.
What to do
Use low starting doses and titrate carefully. Monitor for sedation, orthostasis and serotonin syndrome features.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Trazodone 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 act on serotonin pathways, so additive serotonergic effects and serotonin syndrome are possible, though uncommon at usual doses. Additive sedation and dizziness can also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Trazodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use low starting doses and titrate carefully. Monitor for sedation, orthostasis and serotonin syndrome features.
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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