Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Gabapentin
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine and Gabapentin: 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
Gabapentin causes sedation and dizziness and, rarely, respiratory depression, particularly in the elderly or those with lung disease. Desvenlafaxine may add to dizziness and somnolence, though serious respiratory effects are uncommon without other depressants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine and Gabapentin 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; Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects.
What to do
Start gabapentin low and titrate slowly while monitoring sedation, dizziness and breathing. Take extra care with opioids or chronic respiratory disease.
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 Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desvenlafaxine with Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine and Gabapentin 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. Gabapentin causes sedation and dizziness and, rarely, respiratory depression, particularly in the elderly or those with lung disease. Desvenlafaxine may add to dizziness and somnolence, though serious respiratory effects are uncommon without other depressants.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine and Gabapentin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start gabapentin low and titrate slowly while monitoring sedation, dizziness and breathing. Take extra care with opioids or chronic respiratory disease.
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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