Drug interactions
Duloxetine + Gabapentin
Severity: Moderate
Duloxetine and Gabapentin: 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
Gabapentin causes sedation, dizziness and, particularly with other CNS depressants or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression. Adding duloxetine may increase somnolence and dizziness. Serious respiratory effects are uncommon but more likely in the elderly, those with lung disease, or with opioids.
What this interaction means in plain words
Duloxetine and Gabapentin 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.
Duloxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Start with low doses and titrate slowly, monitoring for sedation, dizziness and falls. Take extra care in patients with respiratory compromise or renal impairment, where gabapentin accumulates.
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 Duloxetine
- Duloxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Duloxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Duloxetine with Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Duloxetine and Gabapentin 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. Gabapentin causes sedation, dizziness and, particularly with other CNS depressants or in vulnerable patients, respiratory depression. Adding duloxetine may increase somnolence and dizziness. Serious respiratory effects are uncommon but more likely in the elderly, those with lung disease, or with opioids.
How serious is the interaction between Duloxetine and Gabapentin?
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 titrate slowly, monitoring for sedation, dizziness and falls. Take extra care in patients with respiratory compromise or renal impairment, where gabapentin accumulates.
What other medicines interact with Duloxetine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Duloxetine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Duloxetine page.
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