Drug interactions
Doxepin + Safinamide
Severity: Contraindicated
Doxepin and Safinamide: 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 is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Combined with the MAO-B inhibitor safinamide, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome and blood pressure instability. Safinamide labeling lists antidepressants of this type as not recommended or contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin and Safinamide 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; Safinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Reuptake inhibition by doxepin combined with reduced monoamine metabolism from MAO inhibition produces excess synaptic serotonin and norepinephrine.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative agent if an antidepressant or hypnotic is needed. Allow an adequate washout (at least 14 days after safinamide) between the two.
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?
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Other interactions of Safinamide
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amphetamine polistirex + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Cyclobenzaprine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Doxepin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxepin with Safinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Doxepin and Safinamide 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 is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Combined with the MAO-B inhibitor safinamide, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome and blood pressure instability. Safinamide labeling lists antidepressants of this type as not recommended or contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin and Safinamide?
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 concurrent use and choose an alternative agent if an antidepressant or hypnotic is needed. Allow an adequate washout (at least 14 days after safinamide) between the two.
What other medicines interact with Safinamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Safinamide with, for example, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Amphetamine polistirex. The full list is on the Safinamide page.
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