Drug interactions
Doxepin + Phenelzine
Severity: Contraindicated
Doxepin and Phenelzine: contraindicated 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
Doxepin combined with an MAO inhibitor can cause serotonin syndrome and blood pressure instability. Severe reactions including hyperthermia, rigidity and seizures have occurred with tricyclic-MAOI combinations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin and Phenelzine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Doxepin belongs to Dermatology; Phenelzine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Reuptake inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine plus MAO inhibition causes excess monoamine activity.
What to do
Avoid the combination; allow at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting doxepin. Low-dose doxepin for insomnia should likewise not be added.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Doxepin and Phenelzine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Doxepin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxepin with Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Doxepin and Phenelzine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Doxepin combined with an MAO inhibitor can cause serotonin syndrome and blood pressure instability. Severe reactions including hyperthermia, rigidity and seizures have occurred with tricyclic-MAOI combinations.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin and Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination; allow at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting doxepin. Low-dose doxepin for insomnia should likewise not be added.
What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
