Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate + Mirtazapine
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate and Mirtazapine: 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 is an opioid and mirtazapine is a sedating antidepressant. Taken together they can cause additive drowsiness, slowed reaction time and, with overdose or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate and Mirtazapine 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Mirtazapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor agonism and histamine H1 antagonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and warn patients about impaired driving and alertness. Monitor for oversedation, particularly in older or debilitated patients and children.
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 Mirtazapine
- Isocarboxazid + Mirtazapine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate with Mirtazapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate and Mirtazapine 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 is an opioid and mirtazapine is a sedating antidepressant. Taken together they can cause additive drowsiness, slowed reaction time and, with overdose or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate and Mirtazapine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and warn patients about impaired driving and alertness. Monitor for oversedation, particularly in older or debilitated patients and children.
What other medicines interact with Mirtazapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mirtazapine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Pimozide. The full list is on the Mirtazapine page.
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