Drug interactions
Meclizine + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Meclizine and Nortriptyline: 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
Meclizine has antimuscarinic and sedative properties that add to those of nortriptyline. This may cause dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, confusion and drowsiness, especially in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meclizine and Nortriptyline 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.
Meclizine belongs to Respiratory; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive antimuscarinic and CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Avoid in older adults and in patients with urinary retention or narrow-angle glaucoma. Monitor for anticholinergic and sedative effects.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Meclizine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meclizine with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meclizine and Nortriptyline 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. Meclizine has antimuscarinic and sedative properties that add to those of nortriptyline. This may cause dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, confusion and drowsiness, especially in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Meclizine and Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid in older adults and in patients with urinary retention or narrow-angle glaucoma. Monitor for anticholinergic and sedative effects.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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