Abametapir and Trazodone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jun 30, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Abametapir
No brand names on recordTrazodone
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Abametapir is a lotion used to treat head lice. Even though it goes on your scalp, a little gets into your body, and it can slow down a liver enzyme (called CYP3A4) that helps break down many medicines, including trazodone.
If the enzyme is slowed, trazodone can build up in your body. That could mean stronger effects like heavy drowsiness, dizziness, or a drop in blood pressure. This is expected based on how the drugs work rather than proven cases, but it is taken seriously. The good news: this is short-lived and easy to plan around. Your pharmacist or doctor can help you time things safely.
Effect: Increased trazodone exposure. Abametapir inhibits CYP3A4, reducing metabolism of the CYP3A4 substrate trazodone, raising AUC/Cmax and PD effects (sedation, orthostatic hypotension, possible QT effects).
- Direction: Increased trazodone effect (neither drug is a prodrug here).
- Onset: Rapid.
- Evidence: Theoretical, based on abametapir's known CYP3A4 inhibition.
- Severity: Major.
Management: Avoid CYP3A4 substrates such as trazodone for 2 weeks following abametapir application. If concurrent use is unavoidable, avoid abametapir and consider an alternative lice therapy. Monitor for excessive sedation and hypotension if co-administration occurs.
What happens
Increased exposure of CYP3A4 substrate
Interaction Deep Dive
Refrain from administering CYP3A4 substrates during the 2 week period following abametapir application. Should this be impractical, then abametapir itself should be avoided1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism by abametapir
How to manage this interaction
The main step here is separating these two medicines in time. Because abametapir can raise trazodone levels for a while, the guidance is to avoid CYP3A4-metabolized drugs like trazodone for 2 weeks after applying abametapir. If that timing is not possible, the abametapir treatment may be avoided instead.
- Keep taking your trazodone as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
- Before using an abametapir lice lotion, tell your pharmacist or doctor you take trazodone so they can plan the timing or choose another lice treatment.
- Watch for extra drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness if both are used, and report it.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abametapir and Trazodone together?
Abametapir can raise trazodone levels by blocking its liver breakdown, so avoid trazodone for 2 weeks after using abametapir, or use a different lice treatment; ask your pharmacist to help plan the timing. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abametapir and Trazodone interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How is the Abametapir and Trazodone interaction managed?
The main step here is separating these two medicines in time. Because abametapir can raise trazodone levels for a while, the guidance is to avoid CYP3A4-metabolized drugs like trazodone for 2 weeks after applying abametapir. If that timing is not possible, the abametapir treatment may be avoided instead. Keep taking your trazodone as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise. Before us… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Abametapir or Trazodone need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: XEGLYZE(TM) topical lotion, abametapir topical lotion. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Inc (per FDA), Princeton, NJ, 2020. DailyMed
Keep reading about Abametapir
Keep reading about Trazodone
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