Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Orphenadrine
Severity: Moderate
Nortriptyline and Orphenadrine: 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
Both drugs have strong anticholinergic and sedating properties, so the combination can cause marked dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, confusion and drowsiness. Older patients are particularly vulnerable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline and Orphenadrine 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.
Why it happens
Additive antimuscarinic and CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity and sedation, and avoid the combination in older adults where possible. Reduce doses if symptoms occur.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nortriptyline with Orphenadrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nortriptyline and Orphenadrine 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. Both drugs have strong anticholinergic and sedating properties, so the combination can cause marked dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, confusion and drowsiness. Older patients are particularly vulnerable.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline and Orphenadrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity and sedation, and avoid the combination in older adults where possible. Reduce doses if symptoms occur.
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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