Drug interactions
Frovatriptan + Protriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Frovatriptan and Protriptyline: 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
Protriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, blocks serotonin reuptake and may add to triptan serotonergic effects, creating a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome. Reports are uncommon.
What this interaction means in plain words
Frovatriptan and Protriptyline 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.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects from tricyclic reuptake inhibition and triptan 5-HT1B/1D agonism.
What to do
Educate the patient about serotonin syndrome and monitor after dose changes. Stop the combination if symptoms occur.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Frovatriptan and Protriptyline, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Protriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Frovatriptan and Protriptyline 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. Protriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, blocks serotonin reuptake and may add to triptan serotonergic effects, creating a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome. Reports are uncommon.
How serious is the interaction between Frovatriptan and Protriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Educate the patient about serotonin syndrome and monitor after dose changes. Stop the combination if symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Frovatriptan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Frovatriptan with, for example, Almotriptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Frovatriptan page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
