Drug interactions
Clemastine + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Clemastine and Nortriptyline: 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
Clemastine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic action, so combining it with nortriptyline can increase drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. Older adults are at higher risk of confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clemastine and Nortriptyline 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.
Clemastine belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive H1 antagonism, anticholinergic and CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Warn about sedation and driving, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Monitor for anticholinergic effects.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Clemastine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clemastine with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clemastine and Nortriptyline 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. Clemastine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic action, so combining it with nortriptyline can increase drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. Older adults are at higher risk of confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Clemastine and Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Warn about sedation and driving, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Monitor for anticholinergic effects.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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