Drug interactions
Paroxetine + Quetiapine
Severity: Moderate
Paroxetine and Quetiapine: 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
The combination is common in practice, but both drugs may contribute to QT prolongation, sedation and, rarely, serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Paroxetine does not substantially change quetiapine levels, since quetiapine is cleared mainly by CYP3A4.
What this interaction means in plain words
Paroxetine and Quetiapine 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.
Paroxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Quetiapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects on QT interval, CNS depression and serotonergic/dopaminergic signalling.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and signs of serotonin toxicity or NMS, and consider an ECG when other QT risk factors are present.
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 Paroxetine and Quetiapine, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Paroxetine
- Isocarboxazid + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Quetiapine
- Adagrasib + Quetiapine Major
- Amiodarone + Quetiapine Major
- Amisulpride + Quetiapine Major
- Amoxapine + Quetiapine Major
- Anagrelide + Quetiapine Major
- Apalutamide + Quetiapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Paroxetine with Quetiapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Paroxetine and Quetiapine 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. The combination is common in practice, but both drugs may contribute to QT prolongation, sedation and, rarely, serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Paroxetine does not substantially change quetiapine levels, since quetiapine is cleared mainly by CYP3A4.
How serious is the interaction between Paroxetine and Quetiapine?
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 sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and signs of serotonin toxicity or NMS, and consider an ECG when other QT risk factors are present.
What other medicines interact with Paroxetine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Paroxetine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Paroxetine 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.
