Drug interactions
Quetiapine + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Quetiapine 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 and quetiapine are commonly combined, but both may contribute to QT prolongation and serotonergic or dopamine-blocking toxicity. Serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome are rare. Additive sedation and orthostatic hypotension can occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quetiapine 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.
Quetiapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic, dopamine-blocking and mild QT-prolonging pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Monitor for serotonin toxicity, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sedation and blood pressure changes, particularly after dose increases. Obtain an ECG in patients with additional QT 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 Quetiapine
- Adagrasib + Quetiapine Major
- Amiodarone + Quetiapine Major
- Amisulpride + Quetiapine Major
- Amoxapine + Quetiapine Major
- Anagrelide + Quetiapine Major
- Apalutamide + Quetiapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quetiapine with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quetiapine 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 and quetiapine are commonly combined, but both may contribute to QT prolongation and serotonergic or dopamine-blocking toxicity. Serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome are rare. Additive sedation and orthostatic hypotension can occur.
How serious is the interaction between Quetiapine 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, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sedation and blood pressure changes, particularly after dose increases. Obtain an ECG in patients with additional QT 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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