Drug interactions
Glycopyrrolate + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Glycopyrrolate 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
Nortriptyline has substantial anticholinergic activity that adds to glycopyrrolate. This can lead to dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia and confusion, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glycopyrrolate 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.
Glycopyrrolate belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive antimuscarinic effects at cholinergic receptors.
What to do
Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity such as urinary retention, constipation and cognitive changes. Reduce the dose or choose a less anticholinergic antidepressant if effects develop.
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 Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrrolate + Potassium chloride Major
- Amitriptyline + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
- Atropine + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
- Bethanechol + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
- Chlorpromazine + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
- Clomipramine + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glycopyrrolate with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Glycopyrrolate 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. Nortriptyline has substantial anticholinergic activity that adds to glycopyrrolate. This can lead to dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia and confusion, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Glycopyrrolate 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: Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity such as urinary retention, constipation and cognitive changes. Reduce the dose or choose a less anticholinergic antidepressant if effects develop.
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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