Deutetrabenazine and Sertraline: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Sertraline
No brand names on recordDeutetrabenazine
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 risk of QT interval prolongation and an increased CYP2D6 substrate exposure
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid the concomitant use of sertraline (a CYP2D6 inhibitor and a QT interval prolonging agent) with drugs that are QT prolonging CYP2D6 substrates. The risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias is increased with concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval. Dose reduction of the CYP2D6 substrate may be required. Conversely, an increase in dosage of a CYP2D6 substrate may be needed if sertraline is discontinued1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive QT interval prolongation; inhibition of CYP2D6-substrate metabolism by sertraline
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Approximately 4-fold increases in mean plasma concentrations of risperiDONE 4 to 8 mg/day (a CYP2D6 substrate) occurred with coadministration of PARoxetine 20 mg/day 2.
Common questions
Can I take Deutetrabenazine and Sertraline together?
Increased risk of QT interval prolongation and an increased CYP2D6 substrate exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Deutetrabenazine and Sertraline 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Deutetrabenazine or Sertraline 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 (2)
- Product Information: ZOLOFT oral tablets, oral solution, sertraline hydrochloride oral tablets, oral solution. Viatris Specialty LLC (per FDA), Morgantown, WV, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: PEXEVA(R) oral tablets, paroxetine mesylate oral tablets. Sebela Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Roswell, GA, 2023.
Keep reading about Sertraline
Keep reading about Deutetrabenazine
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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