Drug interactions
Rasagiline + Venlafaxine
Severity: Contraindicated
Rasagiline and Venlafaxine: contraindicated 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
Rasagiline is a selective MAO-B inhibitor that, at higher doses, loses selectivity, and combined use with serotonergic antidepressants has been linked to serotonin syndrome. Venlafaxine labeling warns against its use with MAO inhibitors, and severe hyperthermia and CNS toxicity can occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rasagiline and Venlafaxine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Rasagiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of monoamine metabolism combined with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition produces additive serotonergic excess.
What to do
Avoid concomitant use. Allow at least 14 days after stopping rasagiline before starting venlafaxine, and at least 7 days after stopping venlafaxine before starting rasagiline.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rasagiline
- Atomoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rasagiline with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Rasagiline and Venlafaxine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Rasagiline is a selective MAO-B inhibitor that, at higher doses, loses selectivity, and combined use with serotonergic antidepressants has been linked to serotonin syndrome. Venlafaxine labeling warns against its use with MAO inhibitors, and severe hyperthermia and CNS toxicity can occur.
How serious is the interaction between Rasagiline and Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concomitant use. Allow at least 14 days after stopping rasagiline before starting venlafaxine, and at least 7 days after stopping venlafaxine before starting rasagiline.
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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