Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Ergotamine
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine and Ergotamine: 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
Ergotamine has serotonergic activity, and combination with an SNRI may add to serotonin toxicity risk. Ergot vasoconstriction and the blood pressure effects of desvenlafaxine may also add to cardiovascular risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine and Ergotamine 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; Ergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity (5-HT receptor agonism plus serotonin reuptake inhibition) and additive vasoconstrictive and pressor effects.
What to do
Monitor for serotonin syndrome and for signs of ischaemia such as limb coldness or paraesthesia. Limit ergotamine to the lowest effective, infrequent doses or choose an alternative migraine agent.
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 Ergotamine
- Almotriptan + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desvenlafaxine with Ergotamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine and Ergotamine 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. Ergotamine has serotonergic activity, and combination with an SNRI may add to serotonin toxicity risk. Ergot vasoconstriction and the blood pressure effects of desvenlafaxine may also add to cardiovascular risk.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine and Ergotamine?
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 serotonin syndrome and for signs of ischaemia such as limb coldness or paraesthesia. Limit ergotamine to the lowest effective, infrequent doses or choose an alternative migraine agent.
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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