Drug interactions
Fluoxetine + Pirfenidone
Severity: Moderate
Fluoxetine and Pirfenidone: 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
Pirfenidone is cleared mainly by CYP1A2, with minor contribution from other enzymes, and fluoxetine inhibits CYP1A2 weakly to moderately along with other pathways. Exposure to pirfenidone may therefore rise, increasing nausea, photosensitivity and liver enzyme elevations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluoxetine and Pirfenidone 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.
Fluoxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Pirfenidone belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Fluoxetine inhibition of CYP1A2 and other pathways reduces pirfenidone clearance.
What to do
Monitor for gastrointestinal and photosensitivity effects and check liver function tests regularly. Reduce the pirfenidone dose if adverse effects emerge, or consider an alternative antidepressant.
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 Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Pirfenidone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluoxetine with Pirfenidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluoxetine and Pirfenidone 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. Pirfenidone is cleared mainly by CYP1A2, with minor contribution from other enzymes, and fluoxetine inhibits CYP1A2 weakly to moderately along with other pathways. Exposure to pirfenidone may therefore rise, increasing nausea, photosensitivity and liver enzyme elevations.
How serious is the interaction between Fluoxetine and Pirfenidone?
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 gastrointestinal and photosensitivity effects and check liver function tests regularly. Reduce the pirfenidone dose if adverse effects emerge, or consider an alternative antidepressant.
What other medicines interact with Fluoxetine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluoxetine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Mavacamten, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Fluoxetine page.
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