Drug interactions
Maprotiline + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Maprotiline and Primidone: 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
Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital and causes sedation, which adds to maprotiline sedation. Enzyme induction may lower maprotiline exposure, and maprotiline lowers the seizure threshold, potentially affecting epilepsy control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Maprotiline and Primidone 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.
Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and induction of hepatic metabolism by primidone and its phenobarbital metabolite.
What to do
Monitor sedation, seizure frequency and antidepressant response, adjusting maprotiline dose as needed. Use the lowest effective doses of both.
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 Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Maprotiline with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Maprotiline and Primidone 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. Primidone is metabolized to phenobarbital and causes sedation, which adds to maprotiline sedation. Enzyme induction may lower maprotiline exposure, and maprotiline lowers the seizure threshold, potentially affecting epilepsy control.
How serious is the interaction between Maprotiline and Primidone?
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 sedation, seizure frequency and antidepressant response, adjusting maprotiline dose as needed. Use the lowest effective doses of both.
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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