Drug interactions
Risperidone + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Risperidone 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 weakly inhibits CYP2D6 and may modestly raise risperidone levels, and both drugs can prolong the QTc interval. Rare serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome may also occur through additive serotonergic and dopamine-blocking effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Risperidone 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.
Risperidone belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak CYP2D6 inhibition by venlafaxine combined with additive QT prolongation and serotonergic and dopaminergic effects.
What to do
Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation and signs of serotonin toxicity, and reduce the risperidone dose if adverse effects arise. Obtain an ECG in patients with 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 Risperidone
- Ibutilide + Risperidone Contraindicated
- Risperidone + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Risperidone Major
- Amiodarone + Risperidone Major
- Amisulpride + Risperidone Major
- Amoxapine + Risperidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Risperidone with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Risperidone 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 weakly inhibits CYP2D6 and may modestly raise risperidone levels, and both drugs can prolong the QTc interval. Rare serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome may also occur through additive serotonergic and dopamine-blocking effects.
How serious is the interaction between Risperidone 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 extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation and signs of serotonin toxicity, and reduce the risperidone dose if adverse effects arise. Obtain an ECG in patients with 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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