Safe To Take Sudafed PE With Prozac?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to use Sudafed PE with Prozac.
Is it safe to take Phenylephrine HCl while I’m on Prozac (fluoxetine)?
Oct 22, 2021- There are no known dangerous drug interactions between Sudafed PE and Prozac, so they are generally safe to take together.
- Both medications can cause sleep problems, so taking Sudafed PE several hours before bedtime may help reduce this side effect.
Hi Tasha and thanks for writing to us.
Prozac Info
Prozac (fluoxetine) was the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor approved for use over 30 years ago, so we have decades of research on the medication. It is one of the better-known psychiatric medications that we commonly use.
Sudafed PE Info
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is an over-the-counter sympathomimetic drug, or a stimulant drug that mimics the sympathetic nervous system. It is sold under several brand names, most notably Sudafed PE.
It is available as a nasal spray, syrup, and tablet. It helps to clear sinus congestion but at the same time, tends to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Since it is a stimulant, some people will experience a bit of jitteriness or trouble sleeping when they take the medication.
Safe Together?
The good news is that there are no known dangerous drug interactions between these two medications, and assuming that you don’t have any cardiac issues, they should be safe to take together.
The only possible issue that I can imagine when taking both is difficulty sleeping. Some folks have trouble sleeping when just starting fluoxetine.
If you are taking the tablet or syrup version of the phenylephrine; it is a minor stimulant that can sometimes cause trouble sleeping.
If you are already having trouble sleeping while taking fluoxetine, this could make that a bit worse, but it could be avoided by taking the phenylephrine about 6 hours before bedtime so it’s mostly metabolized out of your system. I don’t think that this is a big concern, but just something to keep in mind.
I hope this helps and feel free to write us again in the future!
References & sources
- Drug Interaction Report — Lexicomp (Subscription Required)
- Prozac Prescribing Information — Eli Lilly and Company
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
- A type of antidepressant medication that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reabsorption.
- Fluoxetine
- The generic chemical name for the medication brand-named Prozac.
- Sympathomimetic
- A drug that mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls stimulating functions like increased heart rate.
- Phenylephrine
- The generic chemical name for the active ingredient in Sudafed PE that helps clear sinus congestion.
- Sympathetic nervous system
- The part of your nervous system that controls stimulating responses like increased heart rate and blood pressure during stress or activity.
- Sinus congestion
- Blockage or stuffiness in the nasal passages and sinuses usually caused by swelling from colds or allergies.
- Cardiac issues
- Problems or conditions affecting the heart and its ability to function properly.
- Metabolized
- Broken down and processed by the body so that a medication's effects gradually wear off.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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