Drug interactions
Atomoxetine + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Atomoxetine 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 is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor and atomoxetine is metabolized mainly by CYP2D6, so atomoxetine levels may rise slightly. Both drugs also raise noradrenergic tone, which may add to increases in blood pressure and heart rate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atomoxetine 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.
Atomoxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak CYP2D6 inhibition plus additive noradrenergic pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and titrate atomoxetine slowly. Reduce the dose if tachycardia, hypertension or marked adverse effects occur.
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 Atomoxetine
- Atomoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atomoxetine with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atomoxetine 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 is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor and atomoxetine is metabolized mainly by CYP2D6, so atomoxetine levels may rise slightly. Both drugs also raise noradrenergic tone, which may add to increases in blood pressure and heart rate.
How serious is the interaction between Atomoxetine 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 blood pressure and heart rate, and titrate atomoxetine slowly. Reduce the dose if tachycardia, hypertension or marked adverse effects occur.
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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