Drug interactions
Frovatriptan + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Frovatriptan and Lithium: 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
Lithium has serotonergic activity, and triptans act on serotonin receptors, so concurrent use has been associated with rare reports of serotonin syndrome. The risk is generally low but should be recognised.
What this interaction means in plain words
Frovatriptan and Lithium 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.
Frovatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects (5-HT1B/1D agonism with lithium's enhancement of serotonin function).
What to do
Counsel patients to report agitation, tremor, sweating, diarrhoea or fever after a triptan dose. Stop the triptan and treat if serotonin toxicity is suspected.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Frovatriptan
- Almotriptan + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Frovatriptan with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Frovatriptan and Lithium 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. Lithium has serotonergic activity, and triptans act on serotonin receptors, so concurrent use has been associated with rare reports of serotonin syndrome. The risk is generally low but should be recognised.
How serious is the interaction between Frovatriptan and Lithium?
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 patients to report agitation, tremor, sweating, diarrhoea or fever after a triptan dose. Stop the triptan and treat if serotonin toxicity is suspected.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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