Drug interactions
Cyclizine + Physostigmine
Severity: Moderate
Cyclizine and Physostigmine: 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
Physostigmine increases acetylcholine by inhibiting its breakdown, whereas cyclizine blocks muscarinic receptors, so each can reduce the other's effect. This opposition is exploited therapeutically in anticholinergic poisoning but can make the effects of either drug unreliable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclizine and Physostigmine 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.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between a cholinesterase inhibitor and a muscarinic antagonist.
What to do
Avoid using them together unless physostigmine is deliberately given to reverse anticholinergic toxicity, in which case give it under monitoring of heart rate, ECG and seizure risk.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclizine with Physostigmine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclizine and Physostigmine 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. Physostigmine increases acetylcholine by inhibiting its breakdown, whereas cyclizine blocks muscarinic receptors, so each can reduce the other's effect. This opposition is exploited therapeutically in anticholinergic poisoning but can make the effects of either drug unreliable.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclizine and Physostigmine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using them together unless physostigmine is deliberately given to reverse anticholinergic toxicity, in which case give it under monitoring of heart rate, ECG and seizure risk.
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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