Can you take Flibanserin with Levodopa?
1 drug interaction and 19 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- flibanserin
- levodopa
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
levodopa flibanserin
Applies to: levodopa and flibanserin
Using flibanserin together with levodopa may increase side effects such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery for at least 6 hours after taking flibanserin and until you know how the medications affect you.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
flibanserin Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: flibanserin
Do not use alcohol too close to the dosing time of flibanserin. Doing so can cause excessive drowsiness and decreases in blood pressure, which may lead to:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- accidental injury
What to do: Take flibanserin at bedtime to minimize the risk of these effects. It is recommended that you stop drinking alcohol at least two hours before taking flibanserin; otherwise, you should just skip the flibanserin dose that evening. Alcohol should not be consumed until at least the morning after taking flibanserin at bedtime.
Because grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of flibanserin, you should also avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. 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 food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
levodopa Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: levodopa
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of levodopa such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- difficulty concentrating
Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with levodopa.
You may experience reduced effectiveness of levodopa in the presence of foods or enteral (tube) feedings with a high protein content. This may make the symptoms of Parkinson's disease worse.
Talk with your doctor or nutrition counselor about the best foods to eat while you are taking this medication. Contact your doctor if your condition changes.
Moderate:
levodopa multivitamins with minerals
Applies to: levodopa
Levodopa and multivitamins with minerals should not be taken orally at the same time. Products that contain iron may interfere with the absorption of levodopa and reduce its effectiveness.
You should separate the dosing of these medications by as much as possible. Contact your doctor if your Parkinson symptoms worsen.
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
16 potential interactions Applies to: 13 conditions, including Asthma, COPD, Hypotension, Psychosis, and Syncope.
Alcoholism
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.
The use of flibanserin is contraindicated along with the ingestion of alcohol, as it increases the risk of hypotension and syncope. It is important to assess the likelihood of the patient abstaining from alcohol, taking into account the current and past drinking behavior.
Asthma
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Asthma.
Because of the risk of bronchospasm, use of levodopa in patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic underlying lung disease is not recommended.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Cardiac irregularities occur infrequently in patients on dopamine agonists. The initial administration and titration is recommended to occur under close cardiac monitoring in a facility equipped for intensive cardiac care. Adverse cardiac affects may include palpitation, sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, extrasystole, atrial flutter or fibrillation, or block of AV conduction.
COPD
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with COPD.
Because of the risk of bronchospasm, use of levodopa in patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic underlying lung disease is not recommended.
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Moderate:
levodopa
Levodopa has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.
The use of levodopa, especially in combinations with carbidopa, has been associated with an increase in the frequency of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
The use of levodopa is contraindicated in patients with acute closed-angle glaucoma. Levodopa (with or without carbidopa) may be used in patients with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy.
Hypotension
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
The use of flibanserin can cause hypotension and syncope. The benefits and risks of therapy should be considered in patients with preexisting conditions that predispose to hypotension. Flibanserin should be used with caution in these patients.
Moderate:
levodopa
Levodopa has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.
Dopamine agonists may impair the systemic regulation of blood pressure, with resultant orthostatic hypotension at any time, but especially during dose escalation. Additionally, patients with Parkinson's disease may have an impaired capacity to respond to an orthostatic challenge. For these reasons, patients with Parkinson's disease (or restless legs syndrome) who are being treated with dopaminergic agonists typically require careful monitoring for signs/symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, especially during dose escalation, and should be advised of this risk.
Liver Disease
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Flibanserin may accumulate in patients with hepatic impairment. Therapy with flibanserin is contraindicated in patients with compromised hepatic function.
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
The pharmacokinetics of levodopa have not been studied in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with liver or disease. Periodic monitoring of hepatic and renal function is recommended during extended therapy.
Psychosis
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
The use of dopamine agonists has been associated with psychiatric effects such as hallucinations, psychosis, confusion, anxiety, mania, hypomania, depression, rapid mood cycling, nightmares, and hypersexuality. Therapy with dopamine agonists should be administered cautiously in psychotic patients and all patients should be carefully observed for development of depression and suicidal tendencies.
Moderate:
levodopa
Levodopa has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.
Ordinarily, patients with major psychotic disorder should not be treated with dopaminergic antiparkinsonian agents, because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis. Hallucinations and psychotic-like behavior have been reported with dopaminergic medications. In addition, certain medications used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may decrease the effectiveness of these drugs. The use of bromocriptine in patients with severe psychotic disorders is not recommended.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
The pharmacokinetics of levodopa have not been studied in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with liver or disease. Periodic monitoring of hepatic and renal function is recommended during extended therapy.
Skin Cancer
Major:
levodopa
Levodopa has a major potential interaction with Skin Cancer.
The use of levodopa is considered by manufacturers to be contraindicated in patients with a history of melanoma or in patients with suspicious, undiagnosed skin lesions. Levodopa reportedly may activate malignant melanoma, although some investigators have found a causal relationship to be tenuous.
Sleep Disorders
Moderate:
levodopa
Levodopa has a moderate potential interaction with Sleep Disorders.
Patients treated with products containing carbidopa and levodopa report excessive somnolence and falling asleep while engaged in daily activities, sometimes with no warning sign of drowsiness. Advise patients about the risks, especially those suffering from sleep disorders or using concomitant sedating medications.
Syncope
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Syncope.
The use of flibanserin can cause hypotension and syncope. The benefits and risks of therapy should be considered in patients with preexisting conditions that predispose to hypotension. Flibanserin should be used with caution in these patients.
More resources
flibanserin
A total of 517 drugs are known to interact with flibanserin.
- Flibanserin is in the drug class miscellaneous central nervous system agents.
- Flibanserin is used to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.
levodopa
A total of 533 drugs are known to interact with levodopa.
- Levodopa is in the drug class dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents.
- Levodopa is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.