Drug interactions
Doxepin + Pentazocine
Severity: Moderate
Doxepin and Pentazocine: 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combined use can cause greater sedation, impaired psychomotor performance and respiratory depression. Pentazocine has weak serotonergic activity and doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, inhibits monoamine reuptake, so serotonin toxicity is also possible though uncommon.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin and Pentazocine 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.
Doxepin belongs to Dermatology; Pentazocine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus possible additive serotonergic effects.
What to do
Start with low doses and monitor for excessive sedation, respiratory depression and signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.
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 Pentazocine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Pentazocine Major
- Alprazolam + Pentazocine Major
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxepin with Pentazocine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxepin and Pentazocine 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combined use can cause greater sedation, impaired psychomotor performance and respiratory depression. Pentazocine has weak serotonergic activity and doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, inhibits monoamine reuptake, so serotonin toxicity is also possible though uncommon.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin and Pentazocine?
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 for excessive sedation, respiratory depression and signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Pentazocine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pentazocine with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Pentazocine page.
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