Drug interactions
Fluoxetine + Sumatriptan
Severity: Moderate
Fluoxetine and Sumatriptan: 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
SSRIs combined with sumatriptan have been linked to rare reports of serotonin syndrome, and labeling carries a warning. In practice the combination is often used and serious events are uncommon.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluoxetine and Sumatriptan 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; Sumatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity (5-HT1B/1D agonism plus increased synaptic serotonin from reuptake inhibition).
What to do
Counsel the patient on symptoms of serotonin syndrome and use the lowest effective triptan dose. Discontinue the triptan and evaluate promptly if symptoms emerge.
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 Sumatriptan
- Almotriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluoxetine with Sumatriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluoxetine and Sumatriptan 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. SSRIs combined with sumatriptan have been linked to rare reports of serotonin syndrome, and labeling carries a warning. In practice the combination is often used and serious events are uncommon.
How serious is the interaction between Fluoxetine and Sumatriptan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel the patient on symptoms of serotonin syndrome and use the lowest effective triptan dose. Discontinue the triptan and evaluate promptly if symptoms emerge.
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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