Drug interactions
Isoproterenol + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Isoproterenol 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
Tricyclic antidepressants can alter responses to sympathomimetics. Isoproterenol is a direct beta agonist that is not taken up into nerve terminals, so the effect is less predictable than with norepinephrine, but tachycardia and arrhythmia may be heightened in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isoproterenol 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.
Isoproterenol belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Tricyclics block norepinephrine reuptake and sensitise the heart to adrenergic stimulation, with possible additive arrhythmogenic effects.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and ECG when isoproterenol is given to a patient on nortriptyline. Titrate the isoproterenol dose cautiously.
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 Isoproterenol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isoproterenol with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Isoproterenol 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. Tricyclic antidepressants can alter responses to sympathomimetics. Isoproterenol is a direct beta agonist that is not taken up into nerve terminals, so the effect is less predictable than with norepinephrine, but tachycardia and arrhythmia may be heightened in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Isoproterenol 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 heart rate, blood pressure and ECG when isoproterenol is given to a patient on nortriptyline. Titrate the isoproterenol dose cautiously.
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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