Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Hydrocodone
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine and Hydrocodone: 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
Both drugs affect serotonergic transmission, so serotonin syndrome is possible. Desvenlafaxine has weak CYP2D6 inhibition, which has little clinical impact on hydrocodone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine and Hydrocodone 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; Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity, with weak CYP2D6 inhibition by desvenlafaxine.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus, especially at initiation and dose increases. Stop the serotonergic agents if serotonin syndrome develops.
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 Hydrocodone
- Alvimopan + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydrocodone Major
Other interactions of Desvenlafaxine
- Desvenlafaxine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desvenlafaxine with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine and Hydrocodone 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. Both drugs affect serotonergic transmission, so serotonin syndrome is possible. Desvenlafaxine has weak CYP2D6 inhibition, which has little clinical impact on hydrocodone.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine and Hydrocodone?
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 agitation, tremor, hyperthermia and clonus, especially at initiation and dose increases. Stop the serotonergic agents if serotonin syndrome develops.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydrocodone page.
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