Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between Paxil and tramadol

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

PARoxetine traMADol

Applies to: Paxil (paroxetine) and tramadol

GENERALLY AVOID: Due to its serotonergic activity, coadministration of tramadol with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients receiving tramadol with SSRIs may also have an increased risk of seizures due to additive epileptogenic effects of these agents. Pharmacokinetically, coadministration with certain SSRIs, namely fluoxetine, paroxetine and possibly sertraline, may decrease the plasma concentrations of the active O-demethylated (M1) metabolite of tramadol due to inhibition of CYP450 2D6, the isoenzyme responsible for the formation of the metabolite. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown. However, M1 is thought to possess up to 6 times the analgesic effect of tramadol, thus diminished therapeutic response to tramadol should be considered.

MANAGEMENT: In general, the use of tramadol in combination with SSRIs should be avoided if possible, or otherwise approached with caution if potential benefit is deemed to outweigh the risk. Patients should be closely monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment. Particular caution is advised when initiating or increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk for serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering serotonergic agents sequentially, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life (e.g., fluoxetine, vortioxetine).

References (26)
  1. Sternbach H (1991) "The serotonin syndrome." Am J Psychiatry, 148, p. 705-13
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Zoloft (sertraline)." Roerig Division
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Prozac (fluoxetine)." Dista Products Company
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Paxil (paroxetine)." GlaxoSmithKline
  5. (2001) "Product Information. Luvox (fluvoxamine)." Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc
  6. (2001) "Product Information. Ultram (tramadol)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
  7. Mason BJ, Blackburn KH (1997) "Possible serotonin syndrome associated with tramadol and sertraline coadministration." Ann Pharmacother, 31, p. 175-7
  8. Mills KC (1997) "Serotonin syndrome: A clinical update." Crit Care Clin, 13, p. 763
  9. (2001) "Product Information. Celexa (citalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals
  10. Chan BSH, Graudins A, Whyte IM, Dawson AH, Braitberg G, Duggin GG (1998) "Serotonin syndrome resulting from drug interactions." Med J Aust, 169, p. 523-5
  11. Egberts AC, ter Borg J, Brodie-Meijer CC (1997) "Serotonin syndrome attributed to tramadol addition to paroxetine therapy." Int Clin Psychopharmacol, 12, p. 181-2
  12. Alfaro CL, Lam YWF, Simpson J, Ereshefsky L (1999) "CYP2D6 status of extensive metabolizers after multiple-dose fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or sertraline." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 19, p. 155-63
  13. Lange-Asschenfeldt C, Weigmann H, Hiemke C, Mann K (2002) "Serotonin syndrome as a result of fluoxetine in a patient with tramadol abuse: plasma level-correlated symptomatology." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 22, p. 440-1
  14. (2002) "Product Information. Lexapro (escitalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals
  15. Kesavan S, Sobala GM (1999) "Serotonin syndrome with fluoxetine plus tramadol." J R Soc Med, 92, p. 474-5
  16. Gonzalez-Pinto A, Imaz H, De Heredia JL, Gutierrez M, Mico JA (2001) "Mania and tramadol-fluoxetine combination." Am J Psychiatry, 158, p. 964-5
  17. Martin TG (1996) "Serotonin syndrome." Ann Emerg Med, 28, p. 520-6
  18. Houlihan DJ (2004) "Serotonin syndrome resulting from coadministration of tramadol, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine." Ann Pharmacother, 38, p. 411-3
  19. (2004) "Venlafaxine + tramadol: serotonin syndrome." Prescrire Int, 13, p. 57
  20. Mahlberg R, Kunz D, Sasse J, Kirchheiner J (2004) "Serotonin syndrome with tramadol and citalopram." Am J Psychiatry, 161, p. 1129
  21. Mittino D, Mula M, Monaco F (2004) "Serotonin syndrome associated with tramadol-sertraline coadministration." Clin Neuropharmacol, 27, p. 150-1
  22. Lantz MS, Buchalter EN, Giambanco V (1998) "Serotonin syndrome following the administration of tramadol with paroxetine." Int J Geriatr Psychiatry, 13, p. 343-5
  23. Kitson R, Carr B (2005) "Tramadol and severe serotonin syndrome." Anaesthesia, 60, p. 934-5
  24. (2013) "Product Information. Brintellix (vortioxetine)." Takeda Pharmaceuticals America
  25. Shakoor M, Ayub S, Ahad A, Ayub Z (2014) "Transient serotonin syndrome caused by concurrent use of tramadol and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor." Am J Case Rep, 15, p. 562-4
  26. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2018) FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about several safety issues with opioid pain medicines; requires label changes. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM491302.pdf

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

PARoxetine food

Applies to: Paxil (paroxetine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References (4)
  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

traMADol food

Applies to: tramadol

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References (4)
  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

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.