Drug interactions
Pregabalin + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Pregabalin 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
Pregabalin commonly causes sedation and dizziness, and rarely respiratory depression, especially in elderly or respiratory-compromised patients. Venlafaxine can add to dizziness and somnolence, so combined effects on alertness and psychomotor performance are possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pregabalin 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.
Pregabalin belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects.
What to do
Titrate pregabalin slowly from a low dose and monitor for sedation, dizziness and respiratory depression. Warn the patient about driving and take extra care with opioids or in chronic lung disease.
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 Pregabalin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pregabalin with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pregabalin 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. Pregabalin commonly causes sedation and dizziness, and rarely respiratory depression, especially in elderly or respiratory-compromised patients. Venlafaxine can add to dizziness and somnolence, so combined effects on alertness and psychomotor performance are possible.
How serious is the interaction between Pregabalin 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: Titrate pregabalin slowly from a low dose and monitor for sedation, dizziness and respiratory depression. Warn the patient about driving and take extra care with opioids or in chronic lung disease.
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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