Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Nortriptyline
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine and Nortriptyline: 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 enhance serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission, so combining them increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Hypertension and tachycardia may also be more likely.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine and Nortriptyline 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; Nortriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition; desvenlafaxine has little CYP2D6 effect at usual doses.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for serotonin toxicity and blood pressure. Consider nortriptyline level monitoring.
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 Nortriptyline
- Disopyramide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Nortriptyline Contraindicated
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 Nortriptyline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine and Nortriptyline 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 enhance serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission, so combining them increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Hypertension and tachycardia may also be more likely.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine and Nortriptyline?
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 doses and monitor for serotonin toxicity and blood pressure. Consider nortriptyline level monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Nortriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nortriptyline with, for example, Disopyramide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Nortriptyline page.
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