Drug interactions
Lithium + Maprotiline
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Maprotiline: 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
Lithium may cause ECG changes and rarely QT prolongation, and maprotiline can add to cardiac conduction effects. Both drugs can also lower the seizure threshold, and lithium combined with antidepressants may increase serotonergic and neurotoxic effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Maprotiline 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization and central nervous system excitability.
What to do
Monitor serum lithium levels, ECG and electrolytes, particularly after dose changes. Watch for tremor, confusion, serotonergic signs and seizures.
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 Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Maprotiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Maprotiline 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. Lithium may cause ECG changes and rarely QT prolongation, and maprotiline can add to cardiac conduction effects. Both drugs can also lower the seizure threshold, and lithium combined with antidepressants may increase serotonergic and neurotoxic effects.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Maprotiline?
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 serum lithium levels, ECG and electrolytes, particularly after dose changes. Watch for tremor, confusion, serotonergic signs and seizures.
What other medicines interact with Maprotiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Maprotiline with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Disopyramide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Maprotiline page.
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