Drug interactions
Diclofenac + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Diclofenac and Venlafaxine: 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
Venlafaxine inhibits serotonin uptake into platelets, and combined with diclofenac this increases the likelihood of bleeding, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diclofenac and Venlafaxine 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.
Diclofenac belongs to Musculoskeletal; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive platelet dysfunction from serotonin reuptake inhibition and COX inhibition, plus NSAID gastric mucosal damage.
What to do
Monitor for GI bleeding and consider gastroprotection with a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Use the lowest effective diclofenac dose for the shortest duration.
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 Diclofenac
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Diclofenac + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Diclofenac Major
- Acemetacin + Diclofenac Major
- Alteplase + Diclofenac Major
- Amiloride + Diclofenac Major
Other interactions of Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diclofenac with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diclofenac and Venlafaxine 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. Venlafaxine inhibits serotonin uptake into platelets, and combined with diclofenac this increases the likelihood of bleeding, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
How serious is the interaction between Diclofenac and Venlafaxine?
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 GI bleeding and consider gastroprotection with a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Use the lowest effective diclofenac dose for the shortest duration.
What other medicines interact with Diclofenac?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diclofenac with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Diclofenac page.
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