Drug interactions
Chlorpromazine + Ephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpromazine and Ephedrine: 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
Chlorpromazine's alpha-blockade can reduce the pressor response to ephedrine and may produce hypotension. Ephedrine can also raise heart rate and potentially add to arrhythmic risk in predisposed patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpromazine and Ephedrine 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.
Chlorpromazine belongs to Central Nervous System; Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism of sympathomimetic effects by alpha-adrenergic blockade, with possible additive cardiac effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and titrate ephedrine to effect. Consider a direct-acting vasopressor such as phenylephrine or noradrenaline if hypotension is refractory.
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 Chlorpromazine
- Chlorpromazine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Metrizamide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Panobinostat Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpromazine with Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpromazine and Ephedrine 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. Chlorpromazine's alpha-blockade can reduce the pressor response to ephedrine and may produce hypotension. Ephedrine can also raise heart rate and potentially add to arrhythmic risk in predisposed patients.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpromazine and Ephedrine?
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 blood pressure and heart rate, and titrate ephedrine to effect. Consider a direct-acting vasopressor such as phenylephrine or noradrenaline if hypotension is refractory.
What other medicines interact with Chlorpromazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlorpromazine with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Droperidol. The full list is on the Chlorpromazine page.
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