Dopamine and Phenelzine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Phenelzine
Dopamine
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
An increased risk of hypertensive crisis (headache, hyperpyrexia, hypertension)
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of phenelzine (MAO inhibitor) and DOPamine (sympathomimetic drug) is contraindicated. The potentiation of sympathomimetic substances and related compounds by MAO inhibitors may result in hypertensive crises. If a hypertensive crisis occurs, discontinue phenelzine immediately and immediately institute therapy to lower blood pressure. On the basis of present evidence, phentolamine is recommended. Manage fever by means of external cooling4. 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 liability 23.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Increased norepinephrine availability
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) DOPamine is metabolized by MAO, thus DOPamine effects will be prolonged in patients receiving MAO inhibitors. The interaction could result in severe hypertension and/or cardiac arrhythmias. No more than one-tenth of the usual dose of DOPamine should be given to patients receiving MAO inhibitors 1.
b) 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 liability 23.
Common questions
Can I take Dopamine and Phenelzine together?
An increased risk of hypertensive crisis (headache, hyperpyrexia, hypertension) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Dopamine and Phenelzine 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 Dopamine or Phenelzine 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)
- Horwitz D, Goldberg LI, & Sjoerdsma A: Increased blood pressure responses to dopamine and norepinephrine produced by monoamine oxidase inhibitors in man. J Lab Clin Med 1960; 56:747.
- 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
- Product Information: NARDIL(R) oral film coated tablets, phenelzine sulfate oral film coated tablets. Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc (per DailyMed), New York, NY, 2020. DailyMed
Keep reading about Phenelzine
Keep reading about Dopamine
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.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist