Drug interactions
Selegiline + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Contraindicated
Selegiline 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 releases and depletes monoamines, and with an MAO inhibitor may cause hypertensive reactions. Tetrabenazine labeling contraindicates MAOIs and requires a 14-day gap.
What this interaction means in plain words
Selegiline 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.
Selegiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
MAO inhibition lets norepinephrine accumulate in neurons while tetrabenazine triggers its release, producing a pressor effect.
What to do
Do not coadminister. Separate by at least 14 days after stopping the MAOI.
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 Selegiline
- Amitriptyline + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Selegiline with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Selegiline 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 releases and depletes monoamines, and with an MAO inhibitor may cause hypertensive reactions. Tetrabenazine labeling contraindicates MAOIs and requires a 14-day gap.
How serious is the interaction between Selegiline 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 coadminister. Separate by at least 14 days after stopping the MAOI.
What other medicines interact with Selegiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Selegiline with, for example, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Atomoxetine. The full list is on the Selegiline page.
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