Drug interactions
Sertraline + Tamoxifen
Severity: Moderate
Sertraline and Tamoxifen: 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
Sertraline is a weak to moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor and may reduce conversion of tamoxifen to its active metabolite endoxifen. This could lessen tamoxifen's anti-cancer efficacy, although the effect is smaller than with strong inhibitors such as paroxetine or fluoxetine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sertraline and Tamoxifen 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.
Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System; Tamoxifen belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP2D6-mediated bioactivation of tamoxifen to endoxifen by sertraline.
What to do
Prefer an antidepressant with minimal CYP2D6 inhibition such as venlafaxine, citalopram or escitalopram when feasible. If sertraline is needed, use the lowest effective dose and review the endocrine therapy plan with the oncology team.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Sertraline and Tamoxifen, 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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tamoxifen
- Amiodarone + Tamoxifen Major
- Anastrozole + Tamoxifen Major
- Bupropion + Tamoxifen Major
- Carbamazepine + Tamoxifen Major
- Cinacalcet + Tamoxifen Major
- Dacomitinib + Tamoxifen Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sertraline with Tamoxifen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sertraline and Tamoxifen 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. Sertraline is a weak to moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor and may reduce conversion of tamoxifen to its active metabolite endoxifen. This could lessen tamoxifen's anti-cancer efficacy, although the effect is smaller than with strong inhibitors such as paroxetine or fluoxetine.
How serious is the interaction between Sertraline and Tamoxifen?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer an antidepressant with minimal CYP2D6 inhibition such as venlafaxine, citalopram or escitalopram when feasible. If sertraline is needed, use the lowest effective dose and review the endocrine therapy plan with the oncology team.
What other medicines interact with Sertraline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sertraline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Sertraline 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.
