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Drug Interactions With Venlafaxine
Interactions With Venlafaxine Explained
The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when venlafaxine is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
Alcohol
It is not recommended that you drink alcohol while taking venlafaxine. Combining alcohol and venlafaxine may cause unwanted side effects (see Alcohol and Effexor).
"Blood Thinners"
Combining venlafaxine with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (commonly known as blood thinners) may increase the risk of bleeding. Check with your healthcare provider before taking such medications with venlafaxine.
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Taking cimetidine and venlafaxine together can increase the level of venlafaxine in your blood, increasing your risk of side effects. If you are taking these drugs together, your healthcare provider may need to lower your venlafaxine dose or may suggest an alternative to cimetidine. However, this interaction is usually not a problem (except in the case of people who have high blood pressure or liver problems).
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Taking venlafaxine with haloperidol can raise the level of haloperidol in your blood, increasing your risk of side effects. If you are taking these drugs together, your healthcare provider may need to decrease your haloperidol dosage.
Indinavir (Crixivan)
Taking venlafaxine with indinavir may decrease the level of indinavir in your blood, perhaps making it less effective. If you are taking these drugs together, your healthcare provider may need to increase your dose of indinavir.
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Taking venlafaxine with ketoconazole may increase the level of venlafaxine in your blood, increasing your risk of side effects. Your healthcare provider may need to decrease your venlafaxine dosage.
Linezolid (Zyvox)
Taking venlafaxine with linezolid can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. These symptoms can include confusion, hallucination, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, a fever, sweating, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, and diarrhea. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, as serotonin syndrome can be very dangerous.
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Taking venlafaxine with lithium can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
Miscellaneous Antidepressants
Combining venlafaxine with other antidepressants may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Check with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, as it can be very dangerous.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Taking venlafaxine and an MAOI together can cause life-threatening side effects. Do not take venlafaxine if you have taken an MAOI within the past two weeks. Also, do not take an MAOI if you have taken venlafaxine within the past seven days.
SSRI or SNRI Medications
Taking venlafaxine with other SSRI or SNRI medicines can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these depression medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
St. John's Wort
Taking venlafaxine with St. John's wort can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
Tramadol (Rybix ODT, Ryzolt, Ultram, Ultram ER) or Tramadol and Acetaminophen (Ultracet)
Taking venlafaxine with tramadol can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Triptans
Taking venlafaxine with a triptan can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
Tryptophan
Taking venlafaxine with tryptophan can cause a group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome (see above), as it can be very dangerous.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
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