Drug interactions
Hydrocodone + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocodone 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 is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, so combined use with hydrocodone may raise serotonin syndrome risk. Venlafaxine weakly inhibits CYP2D6, which may slightly reduce hydrocodone activation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocodone 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.
Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects with weak CYP2D6 inhibition by venlafaxine.
What to do
Monitor for serotonin toxicity, sedation and analgesic response, particularly at initiation and with dose changes. Adjust the hydrocodone dose as needed.
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 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 Hydrocodone with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocodone 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 is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, so combined use with hydrocodone may raise serotonin syndrome risk. Venlafaxine weakly inhibits CYP2D6, which may slightly reduce hydrocodone activation.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocodone 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 serotonin toxicity, sedation and analgesic response, particularly at initiation and with dose changes. Adjust the hydrocodone dose as needed.
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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