Drug interactions
Sumatriptan + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Sumatriptan 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
The combination may increase serotonergic activity and has been associated with rare reports of serotonin syndrome. It is widely used in practice and the absolute risk appears low.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sumatriptan 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.
Sumatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity from serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibition and 5-HT1B/1D agonism.
What to do
Counsel the patient on symptoms of serotonin toxicity and to stop the triptan and seek care if they occur. Use the lowest effective triptan dose.
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 Sumatriptan
- Almotriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sumatriptan with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sumatriptan 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. The combination may increase serotonergic activity and has been associated with rare reports of serotonin syndrome. It is widely used in practice and the absolute risk appears low.
How serious is the interaction between Sumatriptan 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: Counsel the patient on symptoms of serotonin toxicity and to stop the triptan and seek care if they occur. Use the lowest effective triptan dose.
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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