Dobutamine and Isocarboxazid: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Isocarboxazid
Dobutamine
No brand names on record
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
Hypertensive crisis (headache, hyperpyrexia, hypertension)
Interaction Deep Dive
Sympathomimetics, such as DOBUTamine, with indirect/mixed activity can release large amounts of norepinephrine that have accumulated during MAO inhibition and thus cause excessive noradrenergic stimulation resulting in increased blood pressure. More direct acting agents like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol have minimal interaction liability12. Sympathomimetic use is contraindicated with isocarboxazid 3.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Increased norepinephrine availability
Common questions
Can I take Dobutamine and Isocarboxazid together?
Hypertensive crisis (headache, hyperpyrexia, hypertension) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Dobutamine and Isocarboxazid interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
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 strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Dobutamine or Isocarboxazid 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 (3)
- Smookler S & Bermudez AJ: Hypertensive crisis resulting from an MAO inhibitor and an over-the-counter appetite suppressant. Ann Emerg Med 1982; 11:482-484. PubMed
- Boakes AJ, Laurence DR, Teoh PC, et al: Interactions between sympathomimetic amines and antidepressant agents in man. Br Med J 1973; 1:311-315. DOI
- Product Information: Marplan(R), isocarboxazid. Roche Laboratories Inc. Nutley, NJ, 1998. DailyMed
Keep reading about Isocarboxazid
Keep reading about Dobutamine
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Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
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