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Drug Interactions between Concerta and Zoloft

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

sertraline methylphenidate

Applies to: Zoloft (sertraline) and Concerta (methylphenidate)

MONITOR: Coadministration with methylphenidate may increase the plasma concentrations and effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Human pharmacologic studies have shown that methylphenidate may inhibit the metabolism of some antidepressants including SSRIs. There have been isolated reports of adverse reactions such as hallucinations, confusion, seizures, and serotonin syndrome during concomitant use of methylphenidate with an SSRI, which resolved following discontinuation of one or both drugs. Nevertheless, the combination has been used therapeutically to improve clinical response in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and to augment the effects of SSRIs in the treatment of depression.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to SSRIs should be monitored more closely whenever methylphenidate (racemic) or dexmethylphenidate (the more pharmacologically active d-enantiomer) is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the dosage of one or both drugs adjusted as necessary.

References

  1. Stoll AL, Pillay SS, Diamond L, Workum SB, Cole JO "Methylphenidate augmentation of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors: a case series." J Clin Psychiatry 57 (1996): 72-6
  2. Findling RL "Open-label treatment of comorbid depression and attentional disorders with co-administration of serotonin reuptake inhibitors and psychostimulants in children, adolescents, and adults: a case series." J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 6 (1996): 165-75
  3. Gammon GD, Brown TE "Fluoxetine and methylphenidate in combination for treatment of attention deficit disorder and comorbid depressive disorder." J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 3 (1993): 1-10
  4. Lavretsky H, Kumar A "Methylphenidate augmentation of citalopram in elderly depressed patients." Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 9 (2001): 298-303
  5. "Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)." Mikart Inc (2001):
  6. "Product Information. Concerta (methylphenidate)." Alza (2002):
  7. Lavretsky H, Park S, Siddarth P, Kumar A, Reynolds CF 3rd "Methylphenidate-enhanced antidepressant response to citalopram in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial." Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 14 (2006): 181-5
  8. Ishii M, Tatsuzawa Y, Yoshino A, Nomura S "Serotonin syndrome induced by augmentation of SSRI with methylphenidate." Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 62 (2008): 246
View all 8 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

sertraline food

Applies to: Zoloft (sertraline)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of sertraline. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In addition, limited clinical data suggest that consumption of grapefruit juice during treatment with sertraline may result in increased plasma concentrations of sertraline. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism by certain compounds present in grapefruit. An in-vitro study demonstrated that grapefruit juice dose-dependently inhibits the conversion of sertraline to its metabolite, desmethylsertraline. In a study with eight Japanese subjects, mean plasma levels of sertraline increased by approximately 100% and maximum plasma concentrations increased by 66% after the ingestion of three 250 mL glasses of grapefruit juice per day for 5 days and administration of a single dose of sertraline 75 mg on the sixth day. In another small study with 5 patients, mean sertraline trough levels increased by 47% after taking sertraline for at least 6 weeks, then taking sertraline with 240 mL grapefruit juice daily for 1 week. The clinical significance is unknown; however, pharmacokinetic alterations associated with interactions involving grapefruit juice are often subject to a high degree of interpatient variability. The possibility of significant interaction in some patients should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving sertraline should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how sertraline affects them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities. Some authorities recommend that consumption of grapefruit juice should be avoided during sertraline therapy.

References

  1. "Product Information. Zoloft (sertraline)." Roerig Division PROD (2001):
  2. Lee AJ, Chan WK, Harralson AF, Buffum J, Bui BCC "The effects of grapefruit juice on sertraline metabolism: An in vitro and in vivo study." Clin Ther 21 (1999): 1890-9
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  4. Ueda N, Yoshimura R, Umene-Nakano W, et al. "Grapefruit juice alters plasma sertraline levels after single ingestion of sertraline in healthy volunteers." World J Biol Psychiatry 10(4 Pt 3) (2009): 832-5
View all 4 references

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Moderate

methylphenidate food

Applies to: Concerta (methylphenidate)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may exacerbate the adverse central nervous system effects of psychoactive drugs, including methylphenidate.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking certain sustained-release formulations of methylphenidate may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in increased systemic levels of methylphenidate. In vitro studies have been conducted using Metadate CD 60 mg and Ritalin LA 40 mg capsules, as well as Concerta 18 mg tablet. At an alcohol concentration of 40%, an increase in the release rate of methylphenidate was observed in the first hour for Metadate CD and Ritalin LA, resulting in 84% and 98% of the methylphenidate being released, respectively. In contrast, there was no increased release of methylphenidate in the first hour for Concerta. These results are considered to be representative of the other available strengths of the corresponding product.

MANAGEMENT: Patients treated with methylphenidate should be advised to avoid alcohol or medications that contain alcohol.

References

  1. "Product Information. Metadate CD (methylphenidate)." Celltech Pharmaceuticals Inc (2022):
  2. "Product Information. Concerta (methylphenidate)." Alza (2002):
  3. "Product Information. Ritalin LA (methylphenidate)." Quality Care Products/Lake Erie Medical (2013):

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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