Drug interactions
Lithium + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Trazodone: 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 can cause QT prolongation and conduction abnormalities, particularly at toxic levels, and trazodone may add to this. Both agents also have serotonergic effects, so serotonin toxicity has been reported.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization and enhanced serotonergic activity.
What to do
Monitor serum lithium levels, ECG in at-risk patients and signs of serotonin toxicity. Keep electrolytes and renal function stable.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone 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 Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Trazodone 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 can cause QT prolongation and conduction abnormalities, particularly at toxic levels, and trazodone may add to this. Both agents also have serotonergic effects, so serotonin toxicity has been reported.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Trazodone?
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 in at-risk patients and signs of serotonin toxicity. Keep electrolytes and renal function stable.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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