Drug interactions
Protriptyline + Pseudoephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Protriptyline and Pseudoephedrine: 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
Protriptyline potently inhibits norepinephrine reuptake, which can change responses to pseudoephedrine and may cause hypertension and tachycardia. Cardiac arrhythmias are possible in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Protriptyline and Pseudoephedrine 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.
Why it happens
Norepinephrine transporter blockade alters uptake of pseudoephedrine and potentiates adrenergic effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid pseudoephedrine in patients with cardiovascular disease.
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?
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Other interactions of Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Protriptyline with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Protriptyline and Pseudoephedrine 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. Protriptyline potently inhibits norepinephrine reuptake, which can change responses to pseudoephedrine and may cause hypertension and tachycardia. Cardiac arrhythmias are possible in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Protriptyline and Pseudoephedrine?
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 blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid pseudoephedrine in patients with cardiovascular disease.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine page.
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