Drug interactions
Milnacipran + Phenelzine
Severity: Contraindicated
Milnacipran and Phenelzine: 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
Milnacipran with phenelzine may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Labeling contraindicates SNRIs with MAO inhibitors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Milnacipran and Phenelzine 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.
Milnacipran belongs to Central Nervous System; Phenelzine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibition combined with irreversible MAO inhibition leads to monoamine excess.
What to do
Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting milnacipran, and at least 5 days after stopping milnacipran before starting phenelzine.
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 Milnacipran
- Isocarboxazid + Milnacipran Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Milnacipran Contraindicated
- Milnacipran + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Milnacipran + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Milnacipran + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Milnacipran + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Milnacipran with Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Milnacipran and Phenelzine 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. Milnacipran with phenelzine may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Labeling contraindicates SNRIs with MAO inhibitors.
How serious is the interaction between Milnacipran and Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting milnacipran, and at least 5 days after stopping milnacipran before starting phenelzine.
What other medicines interact with Milnacipran?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Milnacipran with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Procarbazine. The full list is on the Milnacipran page.
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