What cold medications are considered safe to use with Prozac?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
What cold medications are considered safe to use with Prozac?
There are a number of cold medications, some of which can be used with Prozac and some should be avoided. These are
| Cold medications | Examples | Safe or not when taken with Prozac |
| Non-sedative antihistamines | Loratadine, Fexofenadine, Levocetirizine | Safe |
| Sedative antihistamines | Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine, Cetrizine | Not safe (Risk of excess sedation) |
| Expectorants | Guaifenesin | Safe |
| Nasal decongestants | Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine | Safe |
| Acetaminophen | – | Safe |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen | Not Safe (Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and reduced antidepressant activity) |
| Cough suppressants | Dextromethorphan | Not safe (Risk of over-excitation and serotonin syndrome) |
If you’re suffering from allergy symptoms, antihistamines like Claritin are good to use along with Prozac (1,2). These meds don’t interact with Prozac and as they are non-sedative, there is no excess sedation.
For pain and fever, it’s better to opt for Acetaminophen instead of NSAIDs as Acetaminophen does not interact with the active ingredient of Prozac, Fluoxetine. (1,2)
You can also try home remedies for the common cold and flu symptoms as natural remedies like honey water or ginger tea will not interfere with your antidepressant’s mechanism of action and don’t cause any additional side effects.
However, Prozac may interact with some foods and beverages, like grapefruit, caffeine, etc. So, make sure you do not pair Prozac with anything that can make your symptoms worse.
Natural remedies for common cold while taking Prozac
When you have a cold and are taking Prozac, it’s essential to choose natural remedies that won’t interact with your medication. Here are some natural remedies you can try: (3)
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear soups to stay hydrated. Proper hydration helps soothe your throat and thin mucus, making it easier to clear your airways.
- Rest: Get plenty of rest to allow your body to recover and strengthen your immune system. A good night’s sleep can help you fight off the cold more effectively.
- Warm salt water gargle: Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation.
- Honey and lemon: Mix honey and lemon in warm water or herbal tea to relieve throat irritation and provide a natural cough suppressant.
- Steam inhalation: Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water to ease congestion and soothe nasal passages. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil can enhance the benefits.
- Nasal saline rinse: Use a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages and alleviate nasal congestion.
- Ginger tea: Drink ginger tea to reduce inflammation and ease nausea, which can be a common side effect of colds.
- Vitamin C: Consuming foods rich in Vitamin C, like citrus fruits, can support your immune system during a cold.
- Warm compress: Apply a warm compress to your forehead and sinuses to relieve headache and pressure.
Final words
To sum up, some cold medications are safe to take with Prozac, some are not. In case of mild cold and flu, it’s best to go for natural remedies, as they are the safest option while taking an antidepressant. However, if your symptoms persist or become severe, talk to your doctor.
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References
1.-
Sohel AJ, Shutter MC, Molla M. Fluoxetine. 2022 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29083803. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223
2.-
Messiha FS. Fluoxetine: adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1993;31(4):603-30. doi: 10.3109/15563659309025765. PMID: 8254702. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8254702/
3.-
Turner RB. Studies of “natural” remedies for the common cold: pitfalls and pratfalls. CMAJ. 2005 Oct 25;173(9):1051-2. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051208. PMID: 16247101; PMCID: PMC1266329. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1266329/
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