Drug interactions
Methylene blue + Vilazodone
Severity: Contraindicated
Methylene blue and Vilazodone: 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
Methylene blue inhibits MAO-A and, when given with serotonergic antidepressants such as vilazodone, can cause serotonin syndrome. Reactions can be severe.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylene blue and Vilazodone 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
Reversible MAO-A inhibition by methylene blue increases serotonin that is already elevated by vilazodone's reuptake inhibition.
What to do
Avoid where possible. If urgent methylene blue treatment is required, stop vilazodone and monitor for serotonin syndrome for up to 2 weeks or until 24 hours after the last methylene blue dose, whichever comes first.
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 Vilazodone
- Isocarboxazid + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Tranylcypromine + Vilazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylene blue with Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Methylene blue and Vilazodone 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. Methylene blue inhibits MAO-A and, when given with serotonergic antidepressants such as vilazodone, can cause serotonin syndrome. Reactions can be severe.
How serious is the interaction between Methylene blue and Vilazodone?
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 where possible. If urgent methylene blue treatment is required, stop vilazodone and monitor for serotonin syndrome for up to 2 weeks or until 24 hours after the last methylene blue dose, whichever comes first.
What other medicines interact with Vilazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vilazodone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Vilazodone page.
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