Drug interactions
Doxepin + Pseudoephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Doxepin and Pseudoephedrine: 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
Tricyclic antidepressants can interfere with uptake of pseudoephedrine into adrenergic neurons and increase norepinephrine at receptors. The result may be variable pressor effects including hypertension and tachycardia. Low-dose doxepin used for insomnia is less likely to matter.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin and Pseudoephedrine 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; Pseudoephedrine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Norepinephrine transporter blockade alters sympathomimetic uptake and potentiates adrenergic stimulation.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid pseudoephedrine in uncontrolled hypertension or cardiac disease.
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 Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxepin and Pseudoephedrine 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. Tricyclic antidepressants can interfere with uptake of pseudoephedrine into adrenergic neurons and increase norepinephrine at receptors. The result may be variable pressor effects including hypertension and tachycardia. Low-dose doxepin used for insomnia is less likely to matter.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin and Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid pseudoephedrine in uncontrolled hypertension or cardiac disease.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine page.
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