Drug interactions
Galantamine + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Galantamine and Nortriptyline: 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
Galantamine increases cholinergic activity while nortriptyline blocks muscarinic receptors, so each may blunt the effect of the other. Cognitive benefit from galantamine may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Galantamine and Nortriptyline 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.
Galantamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between cholinesterase inhibition and antimuscarinic activity.
What to do
Prefer a less anticholinergic antidepressant in patients with dementia. If combined, monitor cognitive response and heart rate.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Galantamine
- Galantamine + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Galantamine + Physostigmine Major
- Galantamine + Ponesimod Major
- Galantamine + Rivastigmine Major
- Amifampridine + Galantamine Moderate
- Amiodarone + Galantamine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Galantamine with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Galantamine and Nortriptyline 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. Galantamine increases cholinergic activity while nortriptyline blocks muscarinic receptors, so each may blunt the effect of the other. Cognitive benefit from galantamine may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Galantamine and Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer a less anticholinergic antidepressant in patients with dementia. If combined, monitor cognitive response and heart rate.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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