Drug interactions
Fluoxetine + Selegiline transdermal
Severity: Contraindicated
Fluoxetine and Selegiline transdermal: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and combining it with an SSRI such as fluoxetine can cause serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. This can be life-threatening, and the interaction can persist for weeks after fluoxetine is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluoxetine and Selegiline transdermal are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
MAO inhibition combined with serotonin reuptake inhibition causes excessive serotonergic stimulation.
What to do
Do not combine. Stop fluoxetine at least 5 weeks before starting selegiline, and wait at least 2 weeks after stopping selegiline before starting fluoxetine.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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References
Other interactions of Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluoxetine with Selegiline transdermal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Fluoxetine and Selegiline transdermal are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and combining it with an SSRI such as fluoxetine can cause serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. This can be life-threatening, and the interaction can persist for weeks after fluoxetine is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Fluoxetine and Selegiline transdermal?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine. Stop fluoxetine at least 5 weeks before starting selegiline, and wait at least 2 weeks after stopping selegiline before starting fluoxetine.
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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