Trazodone (Less Than or Equal To 100 mg)/MAOIs 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:

Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

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

What might happen:

High levels may cause changes in body temperature, blood pressure and behavior, leading to a medical condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome can vary in severity from mild to 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, muscle stiffness, fever, heavy sweating, heart palpitation, 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.Kovaleva J, Devuyst E, De Paepe P, Verstraete A. Acute chlorophenylpiperazine overdose: a case report and review of the literature. Ther Drug Monit 2008 Jun;30(3):394-8.
  • 4.This information is based on an extract from the Certara Drug Interaction Database (DIDB) Platform, Copyright Certara 1999-2023..
  • 5.Bergeron L, Boule M, Perreault S. Serotonin toxicity associated with concomitant use of linezolid. Ann Pharmacother 2005 May;39(5):956-61.
  • 6.Bodner RA, Lynch T, Lewis L, Kahn D. Serotonin syndrome. Neurology 1995 Feb;45(2):219-23.
  • 7.Zivanovic O, Till E. Serotonin syndrome--a case account. Med Pregl 1992; 45(3-4):116-8.
  • 8.Jacobsen FM. Low-dose trazodone as a hypnotic in patients treated with MAOIs and other psychotropics: a pilot study. J Clin Psychiatry 1990 Jul; 51(7):298-302.
  • 9.Haffmans PM, Vos MS. The effects of trazodone on sleep disturbances induced by brofaromine. Eur Psychiatry 1999 Jun;14(3):167-71.
  • 10.Surmaitis RM, Nappe TM, Cook MD. Serotonin syndrome associated with therapeutic metaxalone in a patient with cirrhosis. Am J Emerg Med 2016 Feb;34(2):346.e5-6.
  • 11.Skelaxin (metaxalone) US prescribing information. Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. January, 2024.
  • 12.USFood and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated information about the drug interaction between methylene blue (methylthioninium chloride) and serotonergic psychiatric medications. available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm276119.htm October 21, 2011.
  • 13.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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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.