Drug interactions
Ibuprofen + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Ibuprofen 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 impairs platelet serotonin uptake and, together with ibuprofen, raises the risk of bleeding, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibuprofen 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.
Ibuprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive platelet dysfunction from serotonin reuptake inhibition and NSAID cyclooxygenase inhibition, plus NSAID gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Monitor for signs of bleeding and consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at high GI risk. Use the lowest effective ibuprofen dose for the shortest duration, or paracetamol if suitable.
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 Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ibuprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ibuprofen Major
- Amiloride + Ibuprofen Major
- Apixaban + Ibuprofen 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 Ibuprofen with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ibuprofen 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 impairs platelet serotonin uptake and, together with ibuprofen, raises the risk of bleeding, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
How serious is the interaction between Ibuprofen 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 signs of bleeding and consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at high GI risk. Use the lowest effective ibuprofen dose for the shortest duration, or paracetamol if suitable.
What other medicines interact with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ibuprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Ibuprofen page.
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