Drug interactions
Cenobamate + Desvenlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Cenobamate and Desvenlafaxine: 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
Cenobamate commonly causes somnolence, dizziness and fatigue, and desvenlafaxine can cause similar CNS effects, so impairment may be greater with both. Cenobamate may also induce CYP3A4, possibly lowering desvenlafaxine exposure slightly.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cenobamate and Desvenlafaxine 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.
Cenobamate belongs to Central Nervous System; Desvenlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS effects; cenobamate is a CYP3A4 inducer, which could modestly reduce desvenlafaxine levels.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and dizziness and counsel against driving until tolerance is known. Watch for loss of antidepressant response.
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 Desvenlafaxine
- Desvenlafaxine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Other interactions of Cenobamate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cenobamate with Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cenobamate and Desvenlafaxine 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. Cenobamate commonly causes somnolence, dizziness and fatigue, and desvenlafaxine can cause similar CNS effects, so impairment may be greater with both. Cenobamate may also induce CYP3A4, possibly lowering desvenlafaxine exposure slightly.
How serious is the interaction between Cenobamate and Desvenlafaxine?
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 sedation and dizziness and counsel against driving until tolerance is known. Watch for loss of antidepressant response.
What other medicines interact with Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desvenlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Desvenlafaxine page.
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