Drug interactions
Sertraline + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Sertraline and Trazodone: 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
Both drugs enhance serotonergic transmission and the combination can precipitate serotonin syndrome. Trazodone also has QT-prolonging potential, and sertraline may raise trazodone exposure slightly.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sertraline and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity with possible additive QTc prolongation.
What to do
If combined, such as low-dose trazodone for insomnia, keep the trazodone dose low and monitor for tremor, agitation, diarrhea, and hyperthermia. Check ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sertraline with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sertraline and Trazodone 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. Both drugs enhance serotonergic transmission and the combination can precipitate serotonin syndrome. Trazodone also has QT-prolonging potential, and sertraline may raise trazodone exposure slightly.
How serious is the interaction between Sertraline and Trazodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If combined, such as low-dose trazodone for insomnia, keep the trazodone dose low and monitor for tremor, agitation, diarrhea, and hyperthermia. Check ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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.
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