Asenapine Transdermal Patch and Fluoxetine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Jul 11, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Fluoxetine
Asenapine Transdermal Patch
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.
What happens
Increased FLUoxetine exposure, an increased asenapine exposure and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid concomitant use of asenapine and FLUoxetine (QT prolonging CYP2D6 inhibitor/substrate) as it may result in an increased exposure of asenapine and/or FLUoxetine and may cause additive QT effects123. Consider ECG assessment and periodic ECG monitoring if initiating treatment with FLUoxetine in patients with risk factors for QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia. Discontinue FLUoxetine and obtain a cardiac evaluation if patients develop signs or symptoms consistent with ventricular arrhythmia 4.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP2D6-mediated metabolism of FLUoxetine; inhibition of CYP2D6-mediated metabolism of asenapine; additive effects on the QT interval
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) FLUoxetine use is associated with reports of QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia, included torsade de pointes 4.
Common questions
Can I take Asenapine Transdermal Patch and Fluoxetine together?
Increased FLUoxetine exposure, an increased asenapine exposure and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Asenapine Transdermal Patch and Fluoxetine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
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 Asenapine Transdermal Patch or Fluoxetine 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 (4)
- Product Information: SAPHRIS(R) oral sublingual tablets, asenapine oral sublingual tablets. Allergan USA, Inc. (per DailyMed), Madison, NJ, 2021. DailyMed
- Product Information: SECUADO® transdermal system, asenapine transdermal system. Noven Therapeutics LLC (per DailyMed), Miami, FL, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: Asenapine oral sublingual tablets, asenapine oral sublingual tablets. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd (per DailyMed), Bedminster, NJ, 2025. DailyMed
- Product Information: PROZAC(R) oral capsules, fluoxetine oral capsules. Lilly USA LLC (per FDA), Indianapolis, IN, 2023. DailyMed
Keep reading about Fluoxetine
Keep reading about Asenapine Transdermal Patch
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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