Drug interactions
Dosulepin + Loxapine
Severity: Moderate
Dosulepin and Loxapine: 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
Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic and cardiac conduction effects. With loxapine it increases drowsiness, anticholinergic effects, orthostatic hypotension and the risk of QT prolongation and seizures. Plasma levels of the tricyclic may also rise because of competition for hepatic metabolism.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dosulepin and Loxapine 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.
Dosulepin belongs to Central Nervous System; Loxapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, antimuscarinic, alpha-blocking and cardiac effects, with possible competition for CYP2D6 metabolism.
What to do
Start with low doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and anticholinergic effects. Consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or high doses.
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 Loxapine
- Alfentanil + Loxapine Major
- Alprazolam + Loxapine Major
- Amisulpride + Loxapine Major
- Amoxapine + Loxapine Major
- Apomorphine + Loxapine Major
- Belladonna and opium + Loxapine Major
Other interactions of Dosulepin
- Dosulepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Dosulepin Major
- Buprenorphine + Dosulepin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dosulepin with Loxapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dosulepin and Loxapine 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. Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic and cardiac conduction effects. With loxapine it increases drowsiness, anticholinergic effects, orthostatic hypotension and the risk of QT prolongation and seizures. Plasma levels of the tricyclic may also rise because of competition for hepatic metabolism.
How serious is the interaction between Dosulepin and Loxapine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start with low doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and anticholinergic effects. Consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or high doses.
What other medicines interact with Loxapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Loxapine with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Loxapine page.
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