What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Nortriptyline and sertraline
Nortriptyline's FDA label of December 4, 2024 names sertraline in its drug interactions section; sertraline's label does not name nortriptyline itself but warns about its class (Tricyclic antidepressants). The nortriptyline label: “While all the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine, inhibit P450 2D6, they may vary in the extent of inhibition.”
Check it at the source: the nortriptyline FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2024); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the nortriptyline label say about sertraline?
Nortriptyline label, drug interactionsWhile all the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine, inhibit P450 2D6, they may vary in the extent of inhibition.
Source: FDA drug label (PAMELOR), SpecGx LLC, effective December 4, 2024 (SPL set e17dc299-f52d-414d-ab6e-e809bd6f8acb), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the sertraline label say about nortriptyline?
Sertraline's label does not name nortriptyline itself; it warns about its class (Tricyclic antidepressants):
Sertraline label, drug interactionsIf serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of ZOLOFT and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort.
Sertraline label, warnings and precautionsThe risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, meperidine, methadone, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., MAOIs [See Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7.1) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Zoloft), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective August 8, 2023 (SPL set fda754f6-d0f3-4dce-a17a-927d64f912f7), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Nortriptyline | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.113 per capsule 10 mg capsule | $0.0507 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once