Drug interactions
Hydroxyzine + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyzine 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
Hydroxyzine has a labeled warning for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and venlafaxine may add a small effect at high doses. Additive sedation can also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyzine 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.
Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT interval prolongation and additive CNS effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective hydroxyzine dose and check an ECG in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances. Correct low potassium or magnesium and avoid additional QT-prolonging drugs.
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 Hydroxyzine
- Droperidol + Hydroxyzine Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydroxyzine Major
- Amiodarone + Hydroxyzine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxyzine with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyzine 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. Hydroxyzine has a labeled warning for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and venlafaxine may add a small effect at high doses. Additive sedation can also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyzine 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: Use the lowest effective hydroxyzine dose and check an ECG in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances. Correct low potassium or magnesium and avoid additional QT-prolonging drugs.
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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