Drug interactions
Lithium + Sertraline
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Sertraline: 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
Combining lithium with an SSRI can enhance serotonergic effects and has been associated with serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity. Tremor, confusion and gastrointestinal effects may occur. Lithium also has a minor QT effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Sertraline 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; Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects with possible pharmacodynamic neurotoxicity.
What to do
Monitor for tremor, confusion, hyperreflexia and other serotonin toxicity signs, especially when starting or increasing doses. Check serum lithium levels and renal function periodically.
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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline 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 Sertraline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Sertraline 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. Combining lithium with an SSRI can enhance serotonergic effects and has been associated with serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity. Tremor, confusion and gastrointestinal effects may occur. Lithium also has a minor QT effect.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Sertraline?
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 for tremor, confusion, hyperreflexia and other serotonin toxicity signs, especially when starting or increasing doses. Check serum lithium levels and renal function periodically.
What other medicines interact with Sertraline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sertraline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Sertraline page.
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