Drug interactions
Cyclizine + Diphenoxylate
Severity: Moderate
Cyclizine and Diphenoxylate: 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
Diphenoxylate, usually combined with atropine, has opioid and anticholinergic effects and can cause drowsiness. Adding cyclizine increases sedation and anticholinergic burden, raising the risk of urinary retention, ileus and tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclizine and Diphenoxylate 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.
Cyclizine belongs to Respiratory; Diphenoxylate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and additive anticholinergic effects.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and anticholinergic toxicity, especially in children and the elderly. Avoid driving until the response is known.
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 Cyclizine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Cyclizine Major
- Cyclizine + Henbane Major
- Cyclizine + Sodium oxybate Major
- Abobotulinumtoxina + Cyclizine Moderate
- Alfentanil + Cyclizine Moderate
- Alprazolam + Cyclizine Moderate
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclizine with Diphenoxylate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclizine and Diphenoxylate 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. Diphenoxylate, usually combined with atropine, has opioid and anticholinergic effects and can cause drowsiness. Adding cyclizine increases sedation and anticholinergic burden, raising the risk of urinary retention, ileus and tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclizine and Diphenoxylate?
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 sedation and anticholinergic toxicity, especially in children and the elderly. Avoid driving until the response is known.
What other medicines interact with Cyclizine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclizine with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Henbane, Sodium oxybate. The full list is on the Cyclizine page.
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