Drug interactions
Cocaine + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Cocaine 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
Cocaine blocks reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, and venlafaxine blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Topical medical cocaine has low systemic exposure, but use in other forms can raise the risk of serotonin toxicity, hypertension and tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cocaine 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.
Cocaine belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive monoamine reuptake inhibition leading to increased serotonergic and sympathomimetic activity.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and signs of serotonin toxicity if topical cocaine is used. Counsel patients to avoid recreational cocaine use.
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 Cocaine
- Cocaine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Cocaine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Cocaine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Cocaine Major
- Bisoprolol + Cocaine Major
- Citalopram + Cocaine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cocaine with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cocaine 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. Cocaine blocks reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, and venlafaxine blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Topical medical cocaine has low systemic exposure, but use in other forms can raise the risk of serotonin toxicity, hypertension and tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Cocaine 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, heart rate and signs of serotonin toxicity if topical cocaine is used. Counsel patients to avoid recreational cocaine use.
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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