Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin 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 can prolong the QT interval in overdose and at higher doses, and erythromycin adds to this effect. The combination may increase the risk of arrhythmia, particularly in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin 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.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Check an ECG and electrolytes in patients with other QT risk factors; consider an alternative antibiotic.
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 Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
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 Erythromycin with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin 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 can prolong the QT interval in overdose and at higher doses, and erythromycin adds to this effect. The combination may increase the risk of arrhythmia, particularly in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin 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: Check an ECG and electrolytes in patients with other QT risk factors; consider an alternative antibiotic.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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