Drug interactions
Haloperidol + Selegiline
Severity: Moderate
Haloperidol and Selegiline: 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
Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor with dopaminergic action, opposes the dopamine blockade of haloperidol, which can reduce the effectiveness of either drug and worsen parkinsonism. Rarely, combined serotonergic and dopaminergic effects have been linked to serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
What this interaction means in plain words
Haloperidol and Selegiline 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.
Haloperidol belongs to Central Nervous System; Selegiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between dopamine D2 blockade and increased dopaminergic tone from MAO-B inhibition.
What to do
Avoid unless clearly needed in Parkinson's disease; if combined, monitor motor symptoms and watch for hyperthermia, rigidity, and mental status change.
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 Haloperidol and Selegiline, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Haloperidol
- Dofetilide + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Selegiline
- Amitriptyline + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Haloperidol with Selegiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Haloperidol and Selegiline 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. Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor with dopaminergic action, opposes the dopamine blockade of haloperidol, which can reduce the effectiveness of either drug and worsen parkinsonism. Rarely, combined serotonergic and dopaminergic effects have been linked to serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
How serious is the interaction between Haloperidol and Selegiline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid unless clearly needed in Parkinson's disease; if combined, monitor motor symptoms and watch for hyperthermia, rigidity, and mental status change.
What other medicines interact with Haloperidol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Haloperidol with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Haloperidol 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.
