Drug interactions
Aripiprazole + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Aripiprazole and Venlafaxine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Venlafaxine may modestly raise aripiprazole exposure via CYP2D6 inhibition, although this effect is weak. Both drugs also act on serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways, so serotonin toxicity or neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare possibility.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aripiprazole and Venlafaxine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Aripiprazole belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak CYP2D6 inhibition by venlafaxine plus overlapping serotonergic and dopaminergic pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Monitor for akathisia, sedation, and signs of serotonin toxicity such as tremor, hyperreflexia and fever. Reduce the aripiprazole dose if adverse effects appear.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Aripiprazole + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Aripiprazole Major
- Aripiprazole + Arsenic trioxide Major
- Aripiprazole + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Major
- Aripiprazole + Carbamazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aripiprazole with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aripiprazole and Venlafaxine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Venlafaxine may modestly raise aripiprazole exposure via CYP2D6 inhibition, although this effect is weak. Both drugs also act on serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways, so serotonin toxicity or neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare possibility.
How serious is the interaction between Aripiprazole and Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for akathisia, sedation, and signs of serotonin toxicity such as tremor, hyperreflexia and fever. Reduce the aripiprazole dose if adverse effects appear.
What other medicines interact with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Venlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Venlafaxine page.
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