Drug interactions
Fluoxetine + Rizatriptan
Severity: Moderate
Fluoxetine and Rizatriptan: 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
Combining an SSRI with a triptan has been associated with serotonin syndrome in case reports, although the absolute risk appears low. Fluoxetine does not significantly alter rizatriptan metabolism, which occurs mainly via MAO-A.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluoxetine and Rizatriptan 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; Rizatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects at 5-HT receptors, possibly leading to serotonin toxicity.
What to do
The combination can be used when clearly needed, but counsel the patient to recognise agitation, tremor, sweating, diarrhea, hyperthermia or clonus. Stop the triptan and seek care if these appear.
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 Rizatriptan
- Almotriptan + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Rizatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluoxetine with Rizatriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluoxetine and Rizatriptan 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. Combining an SSRI with a triptan has been associated with serotonin syndrome in case reports, although the absolute risk appears low. Fluoxetine does not significantly alter rizatriptan metabolism, which occurs mainly via MAO-A.
How serious is the interaction between Fluoxetine and Rizatriptan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: The combination can be used when clearly needed, but counsel the patient to recognise agitation, tremor, sweating, diarrhea, hyperthermia or clonus. Stop the triptan and seek care if these appear.
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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