Drug interactions
Nortriptyline + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Nortriptyline and Trazodone: 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 serotonergic activity and can prolong the QT interval, so risks of serotonin syndrome and arrhythmia are increased. Additive sedation and orthostatic hypotension also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nortriptyline and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity, QT prolongation and alpha-1 blockade.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses, check ECG in at-risk patients, and monitor for serotonergic signs and orthostasis.
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
Other interactions of Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nortriptyline with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nortriptyline and Trazodone 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 serotonergic activity and can prolong the QT interval, so risks of serotonin syndrome and arrhythmia are increased. Additive sedation and orthostatic hypotension also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Nortriptyline and Trazodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses, check ECG in at-risk patients, and monitor for serotonergic signs and orthostasis.
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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