Drug interactions
Phenelzine + Tapentadol
Severity: Contraindicated
Phenelzine and Tapentadol: 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
Phenelzine is an irreversible MAO inhibitor, and with tapentadol it can precipitate hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome, severe agitation and hyperthermia. Tapentadol is contraindicated during and within 14 days of MAOI use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenelzine and Tapentadol 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; Tapentadol belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Irreversible MAO inhibition combined with tapentadol's norepinephrine reuptake inhibition causes excess monoamine activity.
What to do
Do not coadminister, and wait at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting tapentadol. Choose a non-opioid or non-monoaminergic alternative.
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 Tapentadol
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Tapentadol Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tapentadol Contraindicated
Other interactions of Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenelzine with Tapentadol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Phenelzine and Tapentadol 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 is an irreversible MAO inhibitor, and with tapentadol it can precipitate hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome, severe agitation and hyperthermia. Tapentadol is contraindicated during and within 14 days of MAOI use.
How serious is the interaction between Phenelzine and Tapentadol?
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 coadminister, and wait at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting tapentadol. Choose a non-opioid or non-monoaminergic alternative.
What other medicines interact with Tapentadol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tapentadol with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid. The full list is on the Tapentadol page.
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