Drug interactions
Isocarboxazid + Metformin
Severity: Minor
Isocarboxazid and Metformin: minor 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
MAOIs can lower blood glucose and may add to the glucose-lowering effect of antidiabetic drugs, although hypoglycemia with metformin alone is uncommon. The effect is generally modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isocarboxazid and Metformin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Isocarboxazid belongs to Central Nervous System; Metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
MAOIs may improve insulin sensitivity or secretion, producing an additive glucose-lowering effect; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when the MAOI is started or stopped. Adjust the antidiabetic dose only if glucose control changes.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Isocarboxazid and Metformin, 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 Isocarboxazid
- 5-HTP + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Apraclonidine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
Other interactions of Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isocarboxazid with Metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Isocarboxazid and Metformin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. MAOIs can lower blood glucose and may add to the glucose-lowering effect of antidiabetic drugs, although hypoglycemia with metformin alone is uncommon. The effect is generally modest.
How serious is the interaction between Isocarboxazid and Metformin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose when the MAOI is started or stopped. Adjust the antidiabetic dose only if glucose control changes.
What other medicines interact with Isocarboxazid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Isocarboxazid with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Isocarboxazid 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.
