Drug interactions
Clozapine + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Clozapine and Ketamine: 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 depress the central nervous system, so combined use can deepen sedation and impair psychomotor function. Clozapine can also cause hypotension and respiratory depression, particularly with anesthetic agents.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clozapine and Ketamine 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; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects, with possible additive hypotension.
What to do
Monitor level of consciousness, blood pressure and respiration during and after ketamine administration in clozapine-treated patients. Use the lowest effective ketamine dose.
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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clozapine with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clozapine and Ketamine 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 depress the central nervous system, so combined use can deepen sedation and impair psychomotor function. Clozapine can also cause hypotension and respiratory depression, particularly with anesthetic agents.
How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and Ketamine?
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 level of consciousness, blood pressure and respiration during and after ketamine administration in clozapine-treated patients. Use the lowest effective ketamine dose.
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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