Drug interactions
Clozapine + Levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Clozapine and Levodopa: 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
Clozapine blocks dopamine receptors and may counteract the anti-parkinsonian effect of levodopa. Clozapine has a low propensity for motor worsening and is used to treat psychosis in Parkinson's disease, so the combination is often deliberate. Clozapine may also add to orthostatic hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clozapine and Levodopa 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; Levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism of dopamine receptor stimulation by clozapine, with additive hypotensive effects.
What to do
If combined, use the lowest effective clozapine dose and monitor motor function and orthostatic blood pressure. Adjust levodopa as needed.
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 Levodopa
- Isocarboxazid + Levodopa Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine (nonselective MAOI) Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Levodopa Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clozapine with Levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clozapine and Levodopa 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 blocks dopamine receptors and may counteract the anti-parkinsonian effect of levodopa. Clozapine has a low propensity for motor worsening and is used to treat psychosis in Parkinson's disease, so the combination is often deliberate. Clozapine may also add to orthostatic hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and Levodopa?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If combined, use the lowest effective clozapine dose and monitor motor function and orthostatic blood pressure. Adjust levodopa as needed.
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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