Drug interactions
Sertraline + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Moderate
Sertraline and Tetrabenazine: 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
Tetrabenazine causes dose-related QT prolongation, and sertraline may add a small additional effect. Sertraline is also a CYP2D6 inhibitor, which can raise exposure to tetrabenazine's active metabolites and increase adverse effects such as parkinsonism, sedation and depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sertraline and Tetrabenazine 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; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation plus weak-to-moderate CYP2D6 inhibition by sertraline that raises active tetrabenazine metabolites.
What to do
Monitor ECG when combined, particularly at higher tetrabenazine doses. Titrate tetrabenazine carefully and watch for sedation, akathisia, parkinsonism and worsening depression.
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 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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline 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 Sertraline with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sertraline and Tetrabenazine 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. Tetrabenazine causes dose-related QT prolongation, and sertraline may add a small additional effect. Sertraline is also a CYP2D6 inhibitor, which can raise exposure to tetrabenazine's active metabolites and increase adverse effects such as parkinsonism, sedation and depression.
How serious is the interaction between Sertraline and Tetrabenazine?
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 ECG when combined, particularly at higher tetrabenazine doses. Titrate tetrabenazine carefully and watch for sedation, akathisia, parkinsonism and worsening depression.
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.
