Drug interactions
Doxylamine + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Doxylamine and Nortriptyline: 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
Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine with marked anticholinergic activity. With nortriptyline it increases drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxylamine and Nortriptyline 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.
Doxylamine belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Advise against driving or hazardous tasks and avoid the combination in older adults. Use a non-sedating alternative where possible.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxylamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxylamine with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxylamine and Nortriptyline 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. Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine with marked anticholinergic activity. With nortriptyline it increases drowsiness, psychomotor impairment and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Doxylamine and Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise against driving or hazardous tasks and avoid the combination in older adults. Use a non-sedating alternative where possible.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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