Drug interactions
Lofepramine + Phenelzine
Severity: Contraindicated
Lofepramine and Phenelzine: 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
Lofepramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake. Together with an MAOI it can cause serotonin syndrome and hypertensive reactions, and the combination is contraindicated in labeling.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lofepramine and Phenelzine 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.
Why it happens
Reuptake inhibition combined with irreversible MAO inhibition causes excessive synaptic monoamine accumulation.
What to do
Avoid the combination. Observe an adequate washout between the two (typically at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine) and follow product labeling for the reverse sequence.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lofepramine and Phenelzine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lofepramine with Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Lofepramine and Phenelzine 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. Lofepramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake. Together with an MAOI it can cause serotonin syndrome and hypertensive reactions, and the combination is contraindicated in labeling.
How serious is the interaction between Lofepramine and Phenelzine?
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. Observe an adequate washout between the two (typically at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine) and follow product labeling for the reverse sequence.
What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
