Drug interactions
Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Contraindicated
Phenelzine and Tetrabenazine: 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
Tetrabenazine depletes monoamine stores and can release norepinephrine, while MAOIs cause norepinephrine accumulation. The combination can produce hypertensive crisis. Labeling contraindicates use within 14 days of an MAOI.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenelzine and Tetrabenazine 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; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Tetrabenazine-induced norepinephrine release occurs in neurons whose stores are increased by MAO inhibition.
What to do
Do not combine; separate by at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine. Choose an alternative for chorea if an MAOI is required.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Phenelzine and Tetrabenazine, 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 Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenelzine with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Phenelzine and Tetrabenazine 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. Tetrabenazine depletes monoamine stores and can release norepinephrine, while MAOIs cause norepinephrine accumulation. The combination can produce hypertensive crisis. Labeling contraindicates use within 14 days of an MAOI.
How serious is the interaction between Phenelzine and Tetrabenazine?
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; separate by at least 14 days after stopping phenelzine. Choose an alternative for chorea if an MAOI is required.
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.
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.
