Drug interactions
Ergotamine + Mirtazapine
Severity: Moderate
Ergotamine and Mirtazapine: 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
Ergot alkaloids have serotonergic activity and combined use with serotonergic antidepressants carries a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome. Mirtazapine has weak serotonin reuptake effects, so the risk appears low, but ergotamine toxicity is serious and warrants vigilance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ergotamine and Mirtazapine 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.
Ergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Mirtazapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects at 5-HT receptors.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Use the lowest effective ergotamine dose and discontinue both agents if serotonin syndrome occurs.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ergotamine and Mirtazapine, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Mirtazapine
- Isocarboxazid + Mirtazapine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Mirtazapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ergotamine
- Almotriptan + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ergotamine with Mirtazapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ergotamine and Mirtazapine 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. Ergot alkaloids have serotonergic activity and combined use with serotonergic antidepressants carries a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome. Mirtazapine has weak serotonin reuptake effects, so the risk appears low, but ergotamine toxicity is serious and warrants vigilance.
How serious is the interaction between Ergotamine and Mirtazapine?
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 for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Use the lowest effective ergotamine dose and discontinue both agents if serotonin syndrome occurs.
What other medicines interact with Mirtazapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mirtazapine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Pimozide. The full list is on the Mirtazapine 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.
