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Can you take Duloxetine with Promethazine?

1 drug interaction and 46 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

promethazine DULoxetine

Applies to: promethazine and duloxetine

DULoxetine may increase the blood levels and effects of promethazine. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

DULoxetine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: duloxetine

DULoxetine may cause liver damage, and taking it with alcohol may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with DULoxetine. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes, as these may be symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate:

promethazine Alcohol (Ethanol)

Applies to: promethazine

Ask your doctor before using promethazine together with ethanol (alcohol). This can cause uncontrollable movements, agitation, seizures, severe dizziness or fainting, coma, very deep sleep, irregular heartbeats, and high or low body temperature. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities, these medicaions may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

44 potential interactions Applies to: 38 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Asthma, and COPD.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

Phenothiazines are contraindicated in the presence of large amounts of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol. The risk of suicide and the danger of overdose may be increased in patients who use alcohol excessively. Phenothiazines should be used with caution in patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal.

Alcoholism

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Phenothiazines are contraindicated in the presence of large amounts of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol. The risk of suicide and the danger of overdose may be increased in patients who use alcohol excessively. Phenothiazines should be used with caution in patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal.

Altered Consciousness

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Altered Consciousness.

The use of phenothiazines is contraindicated in comatose patients and patients with severe central nervous system depression. Phenothiazines may potentiate the CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.

Arrhythmia

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Asthma

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bipolar Disorder

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Phenothiazines may cause hematologic toxicity. In patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias, bone marrow suppression, or a history of drug-induced leukopenia or neutropenia, phenothiazines should not be used or are contraindicated. Complete blood counts should be regularly monitored in patients with risk factors for blood dyscrasias. If white blood cell counts indicate cellular depression, discontinue treatment and institute appropriate therapy.

Breast Cancer

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Breast Cancer.

The chronic use of phenothiazines is associated with persistent elevations in prolactin levels. The clinical significance in patients with a history of breast cancer is unknown and should be considered prior to therapy; approximately one-third of human breast cancers are thought to be prolactin-dependent. Chronic administration of neuroleptic drugs has been associated with mammary tumorigenesis in animal studies; however, evidence is inconclusive in humans.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.

Phenothiazines can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is recommended during administration in patients with a history of convulsive disorders or EEG abnormalities. Anticonvulsant therapy should be maintained or adequately adjusted during phenothiazine treatment.

Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

COPD

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dehydration

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.

Promethazine has weak central antidopaminergic activity. While its use is rarely associated with adverse effects secondary to dopaminergic blockade, large doses have produced extrapyramidal reactions. During chronic administration and/or high-dose therapy, the usual contraindications, warnings and precautions applicable to phenothiazines should be observed with promethazine.

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Depression

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

In clinical trials, treatment with duloxetine delayed-release worsened the glycemic control in some patients with diabetes. Caution should be used when using duloxetine in diabetic patients and their glycemic levels should be checked regularly.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Glaucoma, Narrow Angle

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma, Narrow Angle.

SNRI antidepressants cause pupillary dilation that may trigger an angle closure attack in patients with anatomically narrow angle without iridectomy.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

High Blood Pressure

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs) have been associated with sustained increases in blood pressure. Therapy with SNRI antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypertension. Blood pressure should be assessed prior to initiating treatment and monitored regularly. The dose should be reduced or discontinued if necessary.

History - Cerebrovascular Disease

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with History - Cerebrovascular Disease.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

History - Myocardial Infarction

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with History - Myocardial Infarction.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Hypocalcemia

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Hypocalcemia.

Promethazine has weak central antidopaminergic activity. While its use is rarely associated with adverse effects secondary to dopaminergic blockade, large doses have produced extrapyramidal reactions. During chronic administration and/or high-dose therapy, the usual contraindications, warnings and precautions applicable to phenothiazines should be observed with promethazine.

Hyponatremia

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Hypotension

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Liver Disease

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Postmarketing studies have reported that duloxetine and some other SNRIs like milnacipran may aggravate preexisting liver disease. The use of duloxetine delayed-release and milnacipran should be avoided in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Therapy with phenothiazines should be administered cautiously or are contraindicated in patients with preexisting liver disease or with a history of jaundice due to phenothiazine hypersensitivity. Patients with a history of hepatic encephalopathy due to cirrhosis may have increased sensitivity to the central nervous system effects of some phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine). Treatment should be discontinued if jaundice occurs.

Mania

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.

Promethazine has weak central antidopaminergic activity. While its use is rarely associated with adverse effects secondary to dopaminergic blockade, large doses have produced extrapyramidal reactions. During chronic administration and/or high-dose therapy, the usual contraindications, warnings and precautions applicable to phenothiazines should be observed with promethazine.

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.

Therapy with phenothiazines may precipitate or aggravate a potentially fatal symptom complex known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Treatment should not be initiated in patients with active NMS, and should be immediately discontinued if currently administered in such patients. In patients with a history of NMS, introduction or reintroduction of phenothiazines should be carefully considered, since NMS may recur.

Parkinsonism

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Parkinsonism.

Promethazine has weak central antidopaminergic activity. While its use is rarely associated with adverse effects secondary to dopaminergic blockade, large doses have produced extrapyramidal reactions. During chronic administration and/or high-dose therapy, the usual contraindications, warnings and precautions applicable to phenothiazines should be observed with promethazine.

Pheochromocytoma

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Promethazine is contraindicated for use in the treatment of lower respiratory tract symptoms including asthma. Furthermore, promethazine tablets may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression, and its use should be avoided in patients with compromised respiratory function such as patients with COPD, and sleep apnea.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The use of duloxetine should be avoided in patients with severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min).

Respiratory Arrest

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Respiratory Arrest.

The use of phenothiazines is contraindicated in comatose patients and patients with severe central nervous system depression. Phenothiazines may potentiate the CNS and respiratory depression in these patients.

Seizures

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

SNRI antidepressants may trigger seizures and should be administered with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

Phenothiazines can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is recommended during administration in patients with a history of convulsive disorders or EEG abnormalities. Anticonvulsant therapy should be maintained or adequately adjusted during phenothiazine treatment.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Tardive Dyskinesia.

Promethazine has weak central antidopaminergic activity. While its use is rarely associated with adverse effects secondary to dopaminergic blockade, large doses have produced extrapyramidal reactions. During chronic administration and/or high-dose therapy, the usual contraindications, warnings and precautions applicable to phenothiazines should be observed with promethazine.

Urinary Retention

Moderate:

promethazine

Promethazine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Urinary Tract Infection

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Infection.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.

Urinary Tract Obstruction

Moderate:

duloxetine

DULoxetine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.

Valvular Heart Disease

Major:

promethazine

Promethazine has a major potential interaction with Valvular Heart Disease.

Phenothiazines may cause hypotension. Patients with pheochromocytoma, cerebral vascular or renal insufficiency, cardiovascular disease, or a severe cardiac reserve deficiency (e.g., mitral insufficiency) may be more prone to hypotensive reactions. Close monitoring is recommended during treatment if used in at-risk patients; some products may be contraindicated (e.g., thioridazine). Large doses and parenteral administration should be used cautiously, or avoided, in patients with impaired cardiovascular systems.

More resources

duloxetine

A total of 654 drugs are known to interact with duloxetine.

promethazine

A total of 714 drugs are known to interact with promethazine.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.