Epinephrine and Phenelzine interaction
Epinephrine and Phenelzine: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Phenelzine (phenelzine sulfate) label · effective 2026-05-21
The potentiation of sympathomimetic substances and related compounds by MAO inhibitors may result in hypertensive crises (see WARNINGS ).
Therefore, patients being treated with phenelzine sulfate should not take sympathomimetic drugs (including amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) or related compounds (including methyldopa, L-dopa, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, and phenylalanine).
Also, they should not be given cocaine or local anesthesia containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors.
From the Epinephrine label · effective 2026-07-06
• Drugs that potentiate the effects of epinephrine include sympathomimetics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, clonidine, doxapram, oxytocin, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines.
…Antihypertensives Ergot alkaloids Drugs potentiating pressor effects of epinephrine • Sympathomimetics • β-blockers, such as propranolol • Tricyclic anti-depressants • Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors • Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, such as entacapone • Clonidine • Doxapram • Oxytocin • Drugs potentiating arrhythmogenic effects of epinephrine.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.