Drug interactions
Maprotiline + Safinamide
Severity: Contraindicated
Maprotiline and Safinamide: 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
Safinamide is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, and combining it with a tetracyclic antidepressant that blocks noradrenaline reuptake can lead to excessive monoaminergic activity. This may cause hypertensive reactions or serotonin syndrome with agitation, hyperthermia, tremor and autonomic instability. Safinamide labeling advises against use with antidepressants of this type.
What this interaction means in plain words
Maprotiline and Safinamide 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.
Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Safinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive monoaminergic effects from MAO-B inhibition combined with monoamine reuptake blockade.
What to do
Avoid the combination; allow a washout of at least 14 days after stopping safinamide before starting maprotiline, and a suitable washout in the other direction. Choose an alternative antidepressant if treatment is needed in a patient on safinamide.
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?
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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 Safinamide
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amphetamine polistirex + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Cyclobenzaprine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Maprotiline with Safinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Maprotiline and Safinamide 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. Safinamide is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, and combining it with a tetracyclic antidepressant that blocks noradrenaline reuptake can lead to excessive monoaminergic activity. This may cause hypertensive reactions or serotonin syndrome with agitation, hyperthermia, tremor and autonomic instability. Safinamide labeling advises against use with antidepressants of this type.
How serious is the interaction between Maprotiline and Safinamide?
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; allow a washout of at least 14 days after stopping safinamide before starting maprotiline, and a suitable washout in the other direction. Choose an alternative antidepressant if treatment is needed in a patient on safinamide.
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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