Skip to main content

Can you take Nefazodone with Sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol?

1 drug interaction and 28 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

Add/remove drugs

Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

nefazodone taurursodiol

Applies to: nefazodone and sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

Taurursodiol may increase the blood levels and effects of nefazodone. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring 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:

nefazodone Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: nefazodone

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of nefazodone 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 nefazodone. Do not use more than the recommended dose of nefazodone, 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:

sodium phenylbutyrate Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

Food may affect the absorption of sodium phenylbutyrate. A high-fat, high-calorie meal (approximately 800 to 1000 calories; 500 to 600 calories from fat, 250 calories from carbohydrate, 150 calories from protein) has been shown to reduce the absorption of sodium phenylbutyrate, although it is unknown what impact this may have on the overall effectiveness of the medication. The manufacturer recommends taking sodium phenylbutyrate before a meal or snack. This is especially important if you weigh less than 70 kg (approximately 154 pounds). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

26 potential interactions Applies to: 23 conditions, including Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Heart Failure, Seizures, and Peripheral Neuropathy.

Biliary Obstruction

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Biliary Obstruction.

Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.

Bipolar Disorder

Moderate:

nefazodone

Nefazodone 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.

Moderate:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Adults, young adults and children 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. Phenylpiperazine antidepressants are not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.

Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.

Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Major:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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.

Depression

Moderate:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Adults, young adults and children 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. Phenylpiperazine antidepressants are not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Diarrhea

Major:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Diarrhea.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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.

Fluid Retention

Major:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Fluid Retention.

The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.

Gallbladder Disease

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Gallbladder Disease.

Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.

Glaucoma, Narrow Angle

Moderate:

nefazodone

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

Some antidepressants exert mydriatic activity that can induce increased intraocular pressure and result in angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy. Prior to initiating therapy with these agents, patients should be examined to determine whether they are susceptible to angle closure, and have a prophylactic procedure (e.g., iridectomy), if they are susceptible. The use of these drugs in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles should be avoided.

Heart Failure

Major:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.

The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.

History - Cerebrovascular Disease

Major:

nefazodone

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

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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:

nefazodone

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

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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.

Hypotension

Major:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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.

Ischemic Heart Disease

Major:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

In general, treatment with nefazodone should not be initiated in patients with active liver disease or elevated baseline serum transaminase levels. Cases of hepatic failure resulting in death or liver transplant, at an estimated rate of 1 per 250,000 to 300,000 patient-years of nefazodone treatment in the U.S. (approximately 3 to 4 times the background rate), have been reported during postmarketing use. The time to liver injury for the reported cases typically ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months of use. Dark urine and nonspecific prodromal symptoms (e.g., nausea, anorexia, malaise, gastrointestinal complaints) were reported in some, but not all, cases prior to the onset of jaundice. There is no evidence that preexisting liver disease increases the likelihood of developing liver failure. However, baseline abnormalities can delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced hepatotoxic effect, thus use of nefazodone is discouraged in this population. In patients who do receive nefazodone therapy, routine liver function testing should be considered to permit early detection of hepatic injury. Nefazodone therapy should be promptly discontinued if clinical signs or symptoms suggestive of liver injury occur, or if serum transaminase levels exceed 3 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients with presumed or confirmed drug-induced hepatotoxicity. In addition, the use of nefazodone is contraindicated in patients who were withdrawn from nefazodone because of evidence of liver injury.

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily metabolized in the liver and kidney. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.

Malabsorption Syndrome

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Malabsorption Syndrome.

Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.

Mania

Moderate:

nefazodone

Nefazodone 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.

Myoneural Disorder

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Myoneural Disorder.

Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.

Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.

Moderate:

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily metabolized in the liver and kidney. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.

Seizures

Moderate:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

The use of most antidepressants is associated with a risk of seizures. There have been only rare reports of convulsions, including grand mal seizures, following the administration of nefazodone or trazodone. Although a causal relationship has not been established, therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of seizures.

Vomiting

Major:

nefazodone

Nefazodone has a major potential interaction with Vomiting.

Nefazodone has alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity and may cause significant decreases in blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, in approximately 5% of patients. Therapy with nefazodone should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting 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 nefazodone. 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

nefazodone

A total of 819 drugs are known to interact with nefazodone.

sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol

A total of 590 drugs are known to interact with sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol.

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.