Drug interactions
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine + Selegiline
Severity: Contraindicated
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Selegiline: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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
MDMA taken with an MAO inhibitor can produce hypertensive crisis, hyperthermia and serotonin syndrome, with fatalities reported with MAO inhibitors generally. The risk is high because MDMA causes massive monoamine release.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Selegiline 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
MDMA induces release of serotonin and norepinephrine while MAO inhibition blocks their breakdown, causing marked additive serotonergic and adrenergic toxicity.
What to do
Avoid entirely; counsel patients on the danger. If exposure occurs, give urgent supportive care with cooling, benzodiazepines and blood pressure control.
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 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Selegiline, 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.
References
Other interactions of Selegiline
- Amitriptyline + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylenedioxymethamphetamine with Selegiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Selegiline 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. MDMA taken with an MAO inhibitor can produce hypertensive crisis, hyperthermia and serotonin syndrome, with fatalities reported with MAO inhibitors generally. The risk is high because MDMA causes massive monoamine release.
How serious is the interaction between Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Selegiline?
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 entirely; counsel patients on the danger. If exposure occurs, give urgent supportive care with cooling, benzodiazepines and blood pressure control.
What other medicines interact with Selegiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Selegiline with, for example, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Atomoxetine. The full list is on the Selegiline 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.
