Tricyclic; Tetracyclic Agents; Carbamazepine/Linezolid Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Both of these medicines can increase the level of serotonin in your body.

What might happen:

High serotonin levels may cause changes in body temperature, blood pressure and behavior, leading to a medical condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome may be life threatening.

What you should do about this interaction:

Make sure your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together.If you experience muscle twitching, tremors, shivering or stiffness, fever, heavy sweating, heart palpitations, restlessness, confusion, agitation, trouble with coordination, or severe diarrhea contact your doctor right away.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

View Reference
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  • 3.Tegretol (carbamazepine) US prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation September, 2023.
  • 4.Amrix (cyclobenzaprine extended release) US prescribing information. Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd. May, 2016.
  • 5.Remeron (mirtazapine) US prescribing information. Organon Inc. November, 2021.
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  • 7.Anafranil (clompiramine hydrochloride) US prescribing information. Mallinckrodt Inc. May 10, 2019.
  • 8.Pamelor (nortriptyline hydrochloride) US prescribing information. Mallinckrodt Inc. October, 2012.
  • 9.Norpramin (desipramine) US prescribing information. US Pharm Holdings November, 2018.
  • 10.Amitriptyline hydrochloride, US prescribing information. Sandoz Inc. January, 2010.
  • 11.Trofanil (imipramine) US prescribing information. Novartis September, 1998.
  • 12.Surmontil (trimipramine) US prescribing information. Odyssey Pharms July, 2014.
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  • 14.USFood and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated information about the drug interaction between linezolid (Zyvox) and serotonergic psychiatric medications. available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm276251.htm October 21, 2011.
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  • 18.Butterfield JM, Lawrence KR, Reisman A, Huang DB, Thompson CA, Lodise TP. Comparison of serotonin toxicity with concomitant use of either linezolid or comparators and serotonergic agents: an analysis of Phase III and IV randomized clinical trial data. J Antimicrob Chemother 2012 Feb; 67(2):494-502.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.