Can you take Mirtazapine with Selegiline?
1 drug interaction and 38 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- mirtazapine
- selegiline
Drug interactions
Major drug interactions
Major:
selegiline mirtazapine
Applies to: selegiline and mirtazapine
Using selegiline together with mirtazapine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. In general, you should wait at least 14 days after stopping selegiline before you start treatment with mirtazapine. Conversely, if you have recently been on mirtazapine and are now starting treatment with selegiline, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to see how long you should wait before it is safe for you to use selegiline, as some medications can take a while to clear from your body. 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:
selegiline Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: selegiline
While you are taking selegiline, you must not eat or drink certain foods and beverages that are high in tyramine. Eating these foods while you are taking selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. This may cause life threatening symptoms such as sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, seizure (convulsions), and sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. Foods that are high in tyramine include: air dried meats, aged or fermented meats, sausage or salami, pickled herring, and any spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish, or liver, red wine, beer from a tap, beer that has not been pasteurize, aged cheeses, including blue, brick, brie, cheddar, parmesan, romano, and swiss, sauerkraut, over the counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain tyramine, soy beans, soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans, or yeast extracts (such as Marmite).
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
mirtazapine Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: mirtazapine
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of mirtazapine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and 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 mirtazapine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of mirtazapine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Moderate:
selegiline Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: selegiline
Using selegiline together with ethanol (alcohol) may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with selegiline. Do not use more than the recommended dose of selegiline, and avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medication affects 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.
Disease interactions
35 potential interactions Applies to: 26 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Seizures.
Bipolar Disorder
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.
A major depressive episode can be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. Patients with depressive symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder prior to initiating treatment with a tetracyclic antidepressant. This screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression. It should be noted that tetracyclic antidepressants are not approved for use in bipolar depression.
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.
All antidepressants may occasionally cause mania or hypomania, particularly in patients with bipolar disorder. Therapy with antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania/hypomania.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
The use of selegiline has been associated with cardiovascular events such as tachycardia, bradycardia, syncope, hypertension, hypotension, arrhythmias, and aggravation of angina pectoris. Therapy with selegiline should be administered cautiously in patients with cardiac disease.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Dehydration
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.
Treatment with mirtazapine 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:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Depression.
A major depressive episode can be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. Patients with depressive symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder prior to initiating treatment with a tetracyclic antidepressant. This screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression. It should be noted that tetracyclic antidepressants are not approved for use in bipolar depression.
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine 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. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the treating physician. 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.
Diarrhea
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Diarrhea.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Glaucoma, Narrow Angle
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma, Narrow Angle.
Tetracyclic antidepressants as other type of antidepressants have an effect on pupil size causing dilation. This effect can potentially narrow the eye angle resulting in increased intraocular pressure and angle closure glaucoma, especially in predisposed patients. These drugs should be used with caution in patients with anatomically narrow angle or history of glaucoma.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
The use of selegiline may exacerbate glaucoma. Therapy with selegiline should be administered cautiously in patients with glaucoma.
High Blood Pressure
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.
Selegiline can cause hypertensive reactions and it should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. Patients should report any symptoms such as occipital headache, palpitations, neck stiffness or soreness, nausea, sweating, dilated pupils and photophobia. Patients receiving therapy need to have monitored their blood pressure frequently to detect any evidence of pressor response. Additionally, patients should be advised to avoid foods and drinks with high tyramine content such as cheese, sour cream, beer, liver, bananas and others, as these might trigger a hypertensive crisis.
High Cholesterol
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with High Cholesterol.
Mirtazapine may significantly elevate serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during mirtazapine therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen.
History - Cerebrovascular Disease
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with History - Cerebrovascular Disease.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
History - Myocardial Infarction
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with History - Myocardial Infarction.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Hyponatremia
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.
Treatment with mirtazapine 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:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.
Hypotension has been observed during therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These drugs should be used with caution, especially in patients with tendency towards hypotension or taking other drugs known to cause hypotension.
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline 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.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
Liver Disease
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Mirtazapine is extensively metabolized by the liver. Both the parent drug and metabolites, some of which are pharmacologically active, are excreted by the kidney. The clearance of mirtazapine has been shown to decrease in patients with moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment. Therapy with mirtazapine should be administered cautiously in such patients. Dosage adjustments may be necessary.
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
The use of mirtazapine has occasionally been associated with ALT (SGPT) elevations greater than three times the upper limit of normal. Although the majority of cases were reversible (some despite continued treatment) and not associated with other signs or symptoms suggestive of hepatic injury, therapy with mirtazapine should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting liver disease. Periodic monitoring of liver enzyme levels is recommended.
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh 5 to 9), may require a dose reduction of selegiline depending on their clinical response. Selegiline is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh >9).
Mania
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.
Activation of mania/hypomania has been reported during treatment with mirtazapine. Although the incidence has been low (0.2%), mirtazapine should be used carefully in patients with history of mania/hypomania.
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.
All antidepressants may occasionally cause mania or hypomania, particularly in patients with bipolar disorder. Therapy with antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania/hypomania.
Neutropenia
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Neutropenia.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants has been associated with neutropenia (ANC < 500/mm3) and agranulocytosis (ANC < 500/mm3) with associated signs and symptoms,( e.g., fever, infection, etc.). Patients with preexisting neutropenia or agranulocytosis should be monitored closely during therapy for further decreases in white blood cell (WBC) counts. Treatment should be discontinued in any patient who develops a sore throat, fever, stomatitis, or other signs of infection along with a low WBC count.
Pheochromocytoma
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may potentiate the effects of circulating catecholamines. Enhanced sympathetic activity can provoke hypertensive crises in patients with pheochromocytoma or other tumors of the adrenal medulla, such as some neuroblastomas. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with these tumors.
Psychosis
Major:
selegiline
Selegiline has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
Patients with major psychotic disorders should ordinarily not be treated with selegiline because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Mirtazapine is extensively metabolized by the liver. Both the parent drug and metabolites, some of which are pharmacologically active, are excreted by the kidney. The clearance of mirtazapine has been shown to decrease in patients with moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment. Therapy with mirtazapine should be administered cautiously in such patients. Dosage adjustments may be necessary.
Major:
selegiline
Selegiline has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Small increments in serum BUN and creatinine have been observed in patients treated with high dose of selegiline. Treatment with selegiline is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment and end-stage renal disease (CrCl <30 mL/min).
Seizures
Moderate:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
The use of tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants is associated with a risk of seizures. Only one case of seizure was reported with mirtazapine, a newer tetracyclic antidepressant, during premarketing trials involving nearly 2800 patients. However, the drug has not been evaluated in controlled studies of patients with a history of seizures. Therapy with mirtazapine should be administered cautiously in such patients.
Skin Cancer
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Skin Cancer.
Patients with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population. Patients and providers should be advised to monitor for melanoma frequently and regularly when using selegiline. Skin examinations should be performed by qualified individuals (e.g., dermatologists).
Sleep Disorders
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Sleep Disorders.
Selegiline should be used with caution in patients with sleep disorders as it can cause somnolence. Patients should exercise caution when driving, operating machines, or working at heights during treatment. Treatment should be discontinued if patients develop daytime sleepiness with episodes of falling asleep during activities such as conversation, eating, etc. If not discontinued, patients should be very cautious about the activities that they engage in that could be potentially dangerous. Prescribers should question the patients specifically about somnolence, as it is rarely reported by patients, and ask about sleep disorders and the use of concomitant sedating medications.
Urinary Retention
Moderate:
selegiline
Selegiline has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
The use of selegiline may exacerbate urinary retention. Therapy with selegiline should be administered cautiously in patients with urinary retention or obstruction.
Vomiting
Major:
mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has a major potential interaction with Vomiting.
The use of tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) has occasionally been associated with significant orthostatic hypotension secondary to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocking effects of these drugs. Therapy with TCAs should be administered cautiously in patients with hypotension or conditions that could be exacerbated by hypotension, such as a history of myocardial infarction, angina, or ischemic stroke. Patients with dehydration (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be predisposed to hypotension and should also be managed carefully during therapy with TCAs. Blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals, particularly during dosage escalation or whenever dosage has been altered, and patients should be advised not to rise abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position.
More resources
mirtazapine
A total of 696 drugs are known to interact with mirtazapine.
- Mirtazapine is in the drug class tetracyclic antidepressants.
-
Mirtazapine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Anxiety (off-label)
- Depression
- Hot Flashes (off-label)
- Insomnia (off-label)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (off-label)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (off-label)
selegiline
A total of 537 drugs are known to interact with selegiline.
- Selegiline is in the following drug classes: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
-
Selegiline is used to treat the following conditions:
- ADHD (off-label)
- Depression
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Parkinson's Disease
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
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