Drug interactions
Dimenhydrinate + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Dimenhydrinate and Nortriptyline: 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
Dimenhydrinate, a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic activity, adds to the sedative and anticholinergic burden of nortriptyline. This may cause drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance, dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dimenhydrinate and Nortriptyline 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.
Dimenhydrinate belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and antimuscarinic effects from H1 antagonism and tricyclic activity.
What to do
Warn patients about drowsiness and avoid driving until response is known. Avoid the combination in older patients or those with urinary retention or glaucoma.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Dimenhydrinate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dimenhydrinate with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dimenhydrinate and Nortriptyline 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. Dimenhydrinate, a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic activity, adds to the sedative and anticholinergic burden of nortriptyline. This may cause drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance, dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Dimenhydrinate and Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Warn patients about drowsiness and avoid driving until response is known. Avoid the combination in older patients or those with urinary retention or glaucoma.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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