Co-administration with serotonergic active substances (such as SSRIs, SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, lithium preparations, triptans, tramadol, linezolid, L-tryptophan, preparations of St. John's wort) can cause the development of serotonin syndrome.
Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase
Simultaneous reception of amitriptyline and MAO inhibitors can cause serotonin syndrome (agitation, confusion, tremor, myoclonus, hyperthermia are possible). Amitriptyline can be appointed 14 days after cessation of treatment by irreversible MAO inhibitors and at least 1 day after discontinuation of therapy with a reversible MAO inhibitor of type A - moclobemide.
MAO inhibitors can be prescribed 14 days after the end of amitriptyline intake.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Caution should be exercised when amitriptyline is used together with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine). Their simultaneous administration leads to an increase in the concentration of amitriptyline in blood plasma due to inhibition of the isoenzyme CYP2D6, involved in TCA metabolism. Patients receiving such therapy should be under strict medical supervision because of the risk of developing toxic reactions.
Anticholinergic drugs
Since TCAs, including amitriptyline, can enhance the effect of anticholinergic drugs on the organs of vision, central nervous system, intestine and bladder, should avoid their simultaneous use because of the risk of developing paralytic intestinal obstruction.
When taking TCAs in combination with anticholinergic drugs or neuroleptics, especially in hot weather, the development of hyperpyrexia is possible.
Sympathomimetics
Amitriptyline can enhance the effect of epinephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine, isoprenaline, phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine on the cardiovascular system.Therefore, anesthetics, decongestants and other preparations containing these substances should not be used simultaneously with amitriptyline.
Drugs that reduce sympathetic activity
Amitriptyline may reduce the hypotensive effect of guanethidine, betanidine, reserpine, clonidine and methyldopa. At simultaneous admission TCA it is necessary to correct hypotensive therapy.
Drugs that depress the central nervous system
When used simultaneously with blockers Hi-gistaminovyh receptors, clonidine, alcohol and barbiturates may increase the inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Amitriptyline can enhance the effects of other drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Drugs that extend the interval QT
Simultaneous reception of amitriptyline and drugs that extend QT interval, - antiarrhythmics (quinidine), antihistamines (astemizole and terfenadine), some neuroleptics (especially pimozide and sertindole), cisapride, halofantrine and sotalol - increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia.
Antifungal drugs
Antifungal drugs, for example, fluconazole, terbinafine, increase the concentration of tricyclic antidepressants in serum and, accordingly, their toxicity. Possible syncope and development of paroxysms of ventricular tachycardia (torsade de pointes).
Barbiturates and inducers of microsomal liver enzymes
Barbiturates and other inducers of microsomal liver enzymes, for example, rifampicin and carbamazepine can enhance the metabolism of TCAs, and as a result, reduce the concentration of TCAs in the blood plasma and reduce their effectiveness.
Cimetidine, methylphenidate and blockers of "slow" calcium channels With simultaneous use with cimetidine, methylphenidate and blockers of "slow" calcium channels, it is possible to slow the metabolism of amitriptyline, increase its concentration in the blood plasma and develop toxic effects.
Neuroleptics
When co-administered with neuroleptics, it should be borne in mind that TCAs and neuroleptics mutually inhibit each other's metabolism, reducing the threshold of convulsive readiness.
Indirect anticoagulants
With the simultaneous use of amitriptyline and indirect anticoagulants (coumarin derivatives or indadion), an increase in anticoagulant activity of the latter is possible.
Glucocorticosteroid agents
Amitriptyline may increase depression caused by glucocorticosteroid agents (SCS).
Anticonvulsants
When combined with anticonvulsant drugs, it is possible to increase the inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, reduce the threshold of convulsive activity (when used in high doses), and reduce the effectiveness of the latter.
Antithyroid drugs
Because of the risk of developing arrhythmias, special care should be taken when prescribing amitriptyline to patients with thyroid hyperthyroidism or to patients receiving antithyroid drugs.
Simultaneous reception with drugs for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis increases the risk of agranulocytosis.
Holin blockers, phenothiazines and benzodiazepines
When combined with holinoblokatorami, phenothiazines and benzodiazepines, mutual strengthening of sedative and central cholinoblocking effects and the risk of epileptic seizures (decrease in the threshold of convulsive activity)
Oral contraceptives
Estrogen-containing oral contraceptive medications and estrogens can increase the bioavailability of amitriptyline.To restore efficacy or reduce toxicity, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or estrogen, or amitriptyline. However, it may be necessary and cancellation of the drug.
Inhibitors of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
Co-administration with disulfiram and other acetaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors may increase the risk of developing psychotic conditions and confusion.
Phenytoin
TCAs can increase the serum concentration of phenytoin and, accordingly, increase the risk of its toxic effects (ataxia, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, tremor).
St. John's wort perforated
Simultaneous use of amitriptyline and preparations containing St. John's wort can lead to increased metabolism of amitriptyline and a decrease in the maximum serum concentration of amitriptyline by 20 %, due to the induction of its metabolism by isoenzyme CYP3A4 liver. Theoretically, an increased risk of developing a serotonin syndrome is possible.
Lithium
With the simultaneous use of lithium and TCA drugs, the risk of psychotic symptoms and toxic complications from the central nervous system may increase, even against the background of therapeutic concentrations of lithium in blood plasma.Described cases of mania, myoclonus, tremor, tonic-clonic seizures, memory disorders, confusion, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, begins a few days after the start of the combination therapy; in most cases, it was necessary to cancel therapy with either TCAs or lithium preparations. Elderly patients are particularly prone to the occurrence of such reactions.