Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Selegiline
Severity: Contraindicated
Nortriptyline and Selegiline: 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
Selegiline can inhibit MAO and, when taken with nortriptyline, may cause serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. Serious reactions have been reported with tricyclics.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline 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.
Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Selegiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
MAO inhibition plus tricyclic reuptake inhibition produces excessive monoamine stimulation.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use and allow at least 14 days after selegiline before starting nortriptyline. Choose an alternative antidepressant.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
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 Nortriptyline with Selegiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nortriptyline 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. Selegiline can inhibit MAO and, when taken with nortriptyline, may cause serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. Serious reactions have been reported with tricyclics.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline 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 concurrent use and allow at least 14 days after selegiline before starting nortriptyline. Choose an alternative antidepressant.
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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