Drug interactions
Phenelzine + Trazodone
Severity: Contraindicated
Phenelzine and Trazodone: 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
Trazodone combined with the nonselective MAO inhibitor phenelzine can lead to serotonin syndrome and may also cause blood pressure instability. The reaction can be severe and sometimes fatal.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenelzine and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects: MAO inhibition raises serotonin while trazodone inhibits serotonin reuptake and has serotonin receptor activity.
What to do
Do not use together. Allow 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting trazodone and at least 14 days after stopping trazodone before starting phenelzine.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Trazodone 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 Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Phenelzine and Trazodone 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. Trazodone combined with the nonselective MAO inhibitor phenelzine can lead to serotonin syndrome and may also cause blood pressure instability. The reaction can be severe and sometimes fatal.
How serious is the interaction between Phenelzine and Trazodone?
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 use together. Allow 14 days after stopping phenelzine before starting trazodone and at least 14 days after stopping trazodone before starting phenelzine.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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