Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol 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
Chloramphenicol may raise trazodone levels by inhibiting its CYP3A4 metabolism. This can cause excess sedation, hypotension, serotonergic effects and QT prolongation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol 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.
Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 reduces conversion of trazodone to its metabolite mCPP and its clearance.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, orthostasis and arrhythmia symptoms and reduce the trazodone dose if adverse effects appear.
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 Chloramphenicol
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 Chloramphenicol with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol 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. Chloramphenicol may raise trazodone levels by inhibiting its CYP3A4 metabolism. This can cause excess sedation, hypotension, serotonergic effects and QT prolongation.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol 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: Monitor for sedation, orthostasis and arrhythmia symptoms and reduce the trazodone dose if adverse effects appear.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
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