Drug interactions
Sotalol + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Sotalol 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 can prolong the QT interval, particularly at high doses or in overdose, and may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Combined with sotalol, the risk of QT-related arrhythmia is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sotalol 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.
Sotalol belongs to Cardiovascular; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes and monitor QTc after dose changes. Use the lowest effective venlafaxine dose or switch to an antidepressant with less QT effect.
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 Sotalol
- Arsenic trioxide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Sotalol Contraindicated
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 Sotalol with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sotalol 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 can prolong the QT interval, particularly at high doses or in overdose, and may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Combined with sotalol, the risk of QT-related arrhythmia is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Sotalol 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: Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes and monitor QTc after dose changes. Use the lowest effective venlafaxine dose or switch to an antidepressant with less QT effect.
What other medicines interact with Sotalol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sotalol with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine, Disopyramide. The full list is on the Sotalol page.
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