Drug interactions
Clomipramine + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Clomipramine and Phenytoin: 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
Phenytoin induces hepatic enzymes and may lower clomipramine concentrations, reducing antidepressant or antiobsessional effect. Clomipramine also lowers the seizure threshold, and tricyclics may occasionally raise phenytoin levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clomipramine and Phenytoin 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.
Clomipramine belongs to Central Nervous System; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by phenytoin increases clomipramine metabolism; tricyclics also oppose antiseizure action.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and consider clomipramine dose increase or serum level monitoring. Check phenytoin levels and seizure control.
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 Clomipramine
- Arsenic trioxide + Clomipramine Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clomipramine with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clomipramine and Phenytoin 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. Phenytoin induces hepatic enzymes and may lower clomipramine concentrations, reducing antidepressant or antiobsessional effect. Clomipramine also lowers the seizure threshold, and tricyclics may occasionally raise phenytoin levels.
How serious is the interaction between Clomipramine and Phenytoin?
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 clinical response and consider clomipramine dose increase or serum level monitoring. Check phenytoin levels and seizure control.
What other medicines interact with Clomipramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clomipramine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Droperidol. The full list is on the Clomipramine page.
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