Sertraline and Furazolidone: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Sertraline
No brand names on recordFurazolidone
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.
Sertraline is an antidepressant that raises serotonin, a chemical messenger in your brain. Furazolidone is an antibiotic that also acts a bit like an older type of drug called an MAOI, which slows serotonin breakdown. Taking both can push serotonin too high, causing a dangerous reaction called serotonin syndrome. Warning signs include high fever, sweating, a racing heart, muscle twitching or stiffness, shaking, and confusion or agitation.
This combination is generally not used together. The good news is your care team can prevent problems by choosing a different option or watching you closely. Please talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these two, and never stop a medicine on your own.
Interaction: Additive serotonergic effects. Sertraline is an SSRI; furazolidone has nonselective MAOI activity, reducing serotonin breakdown. Combined, the risk of serotonin syndrome (autonomic instability, hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, altered mental status) rises. Neither agent is bioactivated by the other, so this is a straightforward pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction, not PK.
- Severity: Contraindicated
- Onset: Delayed
- Evidence: Theoretical, extrapolated from serious/fatal SSRI-MAOI cases
- Management: Avoid coadministration; separate by at least 14 days after stopping the MAOI-active agent. If unavoidable, monitor closely for serotonergic excess (diaphoresis, fever, hyperreflexia, incoordination, mental status changes).
What happens
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome (hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, myoclonus, mental status changes)
Interaction Deep Dive
Furazolidone possesses MAOI activity, even though this is not the main way it works. There have been reports of severe and occasionally lethal reactions in patients who take SSRIs together with MAOIs. Documented manifestations include hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability accompanied by potentially rapid swings in vital signs, and altered mental status ranging from extreme agitation that can advance to delirium and coma. Furazolidone should not be given alongside an SSRI, nor within at least 14 days after stopping MAOI therapy1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive serotonergic effects
How to manage this interaction
This pairing is generally avoided, so your care team will usually pick an alternative or space the drugs apart (at least 14 days after stopping the MAOI-type medicine). Here is what typically happens:
- Your prescriber may select a different antibiotic or adjust timing so the two are not active together.
- If both are truly needed, your team may monitor you more closely for signs of serotonin excess.
What you should do: Keep taking your medicines as prescribed and do not stop anything on your own. Tell your pharmacist or doctor promptly if you notice fever, heavy sweating, muscle twitching or stiffness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or agitation.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Sertraline and Furazolidone together?
Sertraline plus furazolidone can cause dangerous serotonin syndrome and is generally not used together; check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them and watch for fever, sweating, muscle twitching, or confusion. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Sertraline and Furazolidone interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How is the Sertraline and Furazolidone interaction managed?
This pairing is generally avoided, so your care team will usually pick an alternative or space the drugs apart (at least 14 days after stopping the MAOI-type medicine). Here is what typically happens: Your prescriber may select a different antibiotic or adjust timing so the two are not active together. If both are truly needed, your team may monitor you more closely for signs of serotonin excess.… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
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 Sertraline or Furazolidone 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 (1)
- Product Information: Furoxone(R), furazolidone. Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation, Eatontown, New Jersey, 1999. DailyMed
Keep reading about Sertraline
Keep reading about Furazolidone
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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