Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Oxybutynin
Severity: Moderate
Nortriptyline and Oxybutynin: 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 anticholinergic activity, so combined use can cause additive dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision and confusion. Older adults and patients with dementia, glaucoma or bladder outlet obstruction are at particular risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline and Oxybutynin 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.
Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxybutynin belongs to Genitourinary.
Why it happens
Additive antagonism of muscarinic receptors.
What to do
Monitor for anticholinergic toxicity, especially cognition, bowel and bladder function in older patients. Consider a less anticholinergic alternative or lower doses if symptoms develop.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Nortriptyline and Oxybutynin, 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.
Other interactions of Oxybutynin
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 Oxybutynin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nortriptyline and Oxybutynin 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 anticholinergic activity, so combined use can cause additive dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision and confusion. Older adults and patients with dementia, glaucoma or bladder outlet obstruction are at particular risk.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline and Oxybutynin?
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, especially cognition, bowel and bladder function in older patients. Consider a less anticholinergic alternative or lower doses if symptoms develop.
What other medicines interact with Oxybutynin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxybutynin with, for example, Bethanechol, Clozapine, Potassium chloride. The full list is on the Oxybutynin 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.
