Drug interactions
Erythromycin lactobionate + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin lactobionate 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
Intravenous erythromycin prolongs the QT interval, and venlafaxine may add to this effect. Erythromycin also inhibits CYP3A4, which can modestly increase venlafaxine levels, raising the risk of arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin lactobionate 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 lactobionate belongs to Anti Bacterial; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, plus CYP3A4 inhibition by erythromycin reducing venlafaxine clearance.
What to do
Consider an alternative antibiotic with less QT effect. If IV erythromycin is needed, correct electrolytes and monitor the ECG, especially in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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 Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Erythromycin lactobionate
- Cisapride + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Erythromycin lactobionate + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin lactobionate with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Intravenous erythromycin prolongs the QT interval, and venlafaxine may add to this effect. Erythromycin also inhibits CYP3A4, which can modestly increase venlafaxine levels, raising the risk of arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin lactobionate 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: Consider an alternative antibiotic with less QT effect. If IV erythromycin is needed, correct electrolytes and monitor the ECG, especially in patients with cardiac risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Venlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Venlafaxine page.
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