Venlafaxine has 41 known drug interactions based on U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Of these, 4 are contraindicated combinations that should be avoided entirely. 8 are classified as major interactions requiring close medical supervision. Notable interactions include combinations with Linezolid, Maois, Methylene Blue. Patients taking Venlafaxine should inform their healthcare provider of all current medications — including over-the-counter drugs and supplements — to avoid potentially harmful combinations. Data sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Total
- 41
- Contraindicated
- 4
- Major
- 8
- Moderate
- 23
- Minor
- 2
Contraindicated (4)
- Venlafaxine + Linezolid— Concomitant use with linezolid (an MAOI) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome and is contraindicated.
- Venlafaxine + Maois— Concomitant use is contraindicated. Avoid MAOIs 14 days before starting venlafaxine and 7 days after stopping.
- Venlafaxine + Methylene Blue— Concomitant use with intravenous methylene blue (an MAOI) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome and is contraindicate…
- Venlafaxine + Phenelzine Sulfate— Serious, sometimes fatal reactions reported when used concomitantly with MAO inhibitors.
Major (8)
- Venlafaxine + Dextroamphetamine Sulfate— SNRI concomitant use increases risk of serotonin syndrome. Monitor for signs and symptoms; discontinue if serotonin synd…
- Venlafaxine + Haloperidol— Venlafaxine decreases oral-dose clearance of haloperidol by 42%, resulting in 70% increase in haloperidol AUC and 88% in…
- Venlafaxine + Lithium— Potential for serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drug lithium. Careful patient observation advised.
- Venlafaxine + Mirtazapine— SNRI that increases risk of serotonin syndrome with mirtazapine. Monitor for symptoms during initiation and dose increas…
- Venlafaxine + St. John'S Wort— Potential for serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drug St. John's Wort. Careful patient observation advised.
- Venlafaxine + Toremifene Citrate— Antidepressant that prolongs QT interval; should be avoided with toremifene citrate or requires close monitoring.
- Venlafaxine + Tramadol— Potential for serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drug tramadol. Careful patient observation advised.
- Venlafaxine + Triptans— Potential for serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drugs including triptans. Careful patient observation advised.
Moderate (23)
- Venlafaxine + Alcohol— Alcohol increases the release rate of Venlafaxine Extended-Release Tablets. Concomitant use should be avoided.
- Venlafaxine + Amphetamine— Concomitant use increases risk of serotonin syndrome. Monitor for symptoms and consider discontinuation if serotonin syn…
- Venlafaxine + Antiplatelet Drugs— Concomitant use may potentiate the risk of bleeding. Monitor patients closely for bleeding when initiating or discontinu…
- Venlafaxine + Bupropion— CYP2D6 substrate; bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and increases venlafaxine concentrations; consider dose reduction.
- Venlafaxine + Bupropion Hcl Er— Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and can increase venlafaxine concentrations; consider dose reduction of venlafaxine.
- Venlafaxine + Bupropion Hcl Er (Xl)— CYP2D6 substrate antidepressant. Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6, increasing venlafaxine exposure. Dose reduction of venlafaxi…
- Venlafaxine + Bupropion Hydrobromide— CYP2D6 substrate. Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and can increase venlafaxine concentrations. Consider dose reduction of venl…
- Venlafaxine + Bupropion Hydrochloride— CYP2D6-metabolized antidepressant. Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and can increase venlafaxine concentrations. Consider dose …
- Venlafaxine + Buspirone— Concomitant use increases risk of serotonin syndrome. Monitor for symptoms and consider discontinuation if serotonin syn…
- Venlafaxine + Cimetidine— Cimetidine inhibits first-pass metabolism of venlafaxine, reducing oral clearance by 43% and increasing AUC and Cmax by …
- Venlafaxine + Citalopram— SNRIs increase risk of serotonin syndrome when used with citalopram. Monitor for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrom…
- Venlafaxine + Citalopram Hydrobromide— SNRIs increase risk of serotonin syndrome when used concomitantly with citalopram. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ser…
- Venlafaxine + Haloperidol Decanoate— CYP2D6 inhibitor that increases haloperidol plasma concentrations; monitor for increased adverse effects including QTc p…
- Venlafaxine + Haloperidol Lactate— CYP2D6 inhibitor that increases haloperidol plasma concentrations, raising risk of adverse events including QTc prolonga…
- Venlafaxine + Ioflupane I-123— Cases of altered DATSCAN uptake that impacted image interpretation have been reported.
- Venlafaxine + Ketoconazole— CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitor that increases venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine AUC and Cmax. Caution advised.
- Venlafaxine + Mao Inhibitors— Concomitant use increases venlafaxine and ODV levels, which may increase toxicity risk. Consider reducing venlafaxine do…
- Venlafaxine + Metoprolol— ( 7.7 ) Metoprolol: Possibly reduced blood-pressure lowering effect despite increased metoprolol plasma levels. Caution …
- Venlafaxine + Oral Anticoagulants— Concomitant use may potentiate the risk of bleeding. Monitor patients closely for bleeding when initiating or discontinu…
- Venlafaxine + Paroxetine— Increased venlafaxine exposure may occur; dosage adjustment may be needed.
- Venlafaxine + Paroxetine Hydrochloride— Increased exposure of CYP2D6 substrate; decrease dosage if needed.
- Venlafaxine + Sertraline Hydrochloride— SNRIs increase risk of serotonin syndrome; monitor for signs and symptoms.
- Venlafaxine + Tryptophan— Concomitant use with tryptophan supplements not recommended due to serotonin syndrome risk.
Minor (2)
- Venlafaxine + Diazepam— No significant pharmacokinetic interaction observed. Diazepam did not affect venlafaxine or ODV pharmacokinetics, and ve…
- Venlafaxine + Zaleplon— Co-administration did not result in significant pharmacokinetic changes or pharmacodynamic interaction between zaleplon …