Drug interactions
Phenelzine + Rasagiline
Severity: Contraindicated
Phenelzine and Rasagiline: 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
Rasagiline is an MAO-B inhibitor that loses selectivity at higher doses, and combined with a nonselective MAOI it can cause hypertensive crisis and serotonin toxicity. Labeling prohibits the pairing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenelzine and Rasagiline 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.
Phenelzine belongs to Central Nervous System; Rasagiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive MAO inhibition, with loss of MAO-B selectivity, increases monoamine levels.
What to do
Do not combine, and observe a 14-day washout between the two. Coordinate with neurology and psychiatry to choose alternatives.
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 Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rasagiline
- Atomoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenelzine with Rasagiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Phenelzine and Rasagiline 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. Rasagiline is an MAO-B inhibitor that loses selectivity at higher doses, and combined with a nonselective MAOI it can cause hypertensive crisis and serotonin toxicity. Labeling prohibits the pairing.
How serious is the interaction between Phenelzine and Rasagiline?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine, and observe a 14-day washout between the two. Coordinate with neurology and psychiatry to choose alternatives.
What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine page.
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