Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Doxepin
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine and Doxepin: 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
Doxepin inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, so combining it with desvenlafaxine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. The risk is lower with low-dose doxepin used for insomnia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine and Doxepin 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.
Desvenlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doxepin dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity and sedation. Avoid antidepressant-range doxepin doses with desvenlafaxine unless specialist supervision is available.
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 Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desvenlafaxine with Doxepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine and Doxepin 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. Doxepin inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, so combining it with desvenlafaxine increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. The risk is lower with low-dose doxepin used for insomnia.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine and Doxepin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doxepin dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity and sedation. Avoid antidepressant-range doxepin doses with desvenlafaxine unless specialist supervision is available.
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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