Dopamine and Pargyline: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Dopamine
No brand names on recordPargyline
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 DOPamine 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.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Increased norepinephrine availability
Common questions
Can I take Dopamine and Pargyline together?
Hypertensive crisis (headache, hyperpyrexia, hypertension) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Dopamine and Pargyline 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 strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Dopamine or Pargyline 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)
- 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. PubMed
Keep reading about Dopamine
Keep reading about Pargyline
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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