Drug interactions
Linezolid + Safinamide
Severity: Contraindicated
Linezolid and Safinamide: contraindicated 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
Safinamide is a selective MAO-B inhibitor and linezolid inhibits MAO nonselectively. Together they may cause hypertensive crisis or serotonin syndrome, and safinamide is contraindicated with other MAO inhibitors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Linezolid and Safinamide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Linezolid belongs to Anti Bacterial; Safinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Combined MAO inhibition increases monoamine levels, producing hypertensive and serotonergic toxicity.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose a non-MAO-inhibiting antibiotic; if linezolid is unavoidable, stop safinamide and monitor for hypertension and serotonin toxicity.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Linezolid
- Amoxapine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Linezolid Contraindicated
Other interactions of Safinamide
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amphetamine polistirex + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Cyclobenzaprine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Linezolid with Safinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Linezolid and Safinamide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Safinamide is a selective MAO-B inhibitor and linezolid inhibits MAO nonselectively. Together they may cause hypertensive crisis or serotonin syndrome, and safinamide is contraindicated with other MAO inhibitors.
How serious is the interaction between Linezolid and Safinamide?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and choose a non-MAO-inhibiting antibiotic; if linezolid is unavoidable, stop safinamide and monitor for hypertension and serotonin toxicity.
What other medicines interact with Linezolid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Linezolid with, for example, Amoxapine, Atomoxetine, Benzphetamine. The full list is on the Linezolid page.
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