Drug interactions
Clozapine + Deutetrabenazine
Severity: Moderate
Clozapine and Deutetrabenazine: 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 affect dopaminergic transmission, so combined use may increase parkinsonism, akathisia, sedation and the risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Each may also contribute to QT prolongation, though deutetrabenazine has little effect at usual doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clozapine and Deutetrabenazine 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.
Clozapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Deutetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive dopamine antagonism (clozapine) and VMAT2 depletion of monoamines (deutetrabenazine), with additive sedation.
What to do
Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, sedation, depression and fever or rigidity, and reduce the deutetrabenazine dose if they occur. Consider an ECG in patients with other QT risks.
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 Clozapine
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Clozapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acalabrutinib + Clozapine Major
- Adagrasib + Clozapine Major
Other interactions of Deutetrabenazine
- Deutetrabenazine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Deutetrabenazine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Deutetrabenazine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Deutetrabenazine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Deutetrabenazine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Deutetrabenazine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clozapine with Deutetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clozapine and Deutetrabenazine 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 affect dopaminergic transmission, so combined use may increase parkinsonism, akathisia, sedation and the risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Each may also contribute to QT prolongation, though deutetrabenazine has little effect at usual doses.
How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and Deutetrabenazine?
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 extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, sedation, depression and fever or rigidity, and reduce the deutetrabenazine dose if they occur. Consider an ECG in patients with other QT risks.
What other medicines interact with Clozapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clozapine with, for example, Deferiprone, Irinotecan, Pimozide. The full list is on the Clozapine page.
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