Drug interactions
Sunitinib + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Sunitinib 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
Both venlafaxine and sunitinib can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or existing cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sunitinib 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.
Sunitinib belongs to Oncology; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation through effects on cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and repeat after initiation. Correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities, and reassess therapy if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
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 Sunitinib
- Adagrasib + Sunitinib Major
- Amiodarone + Sunitinib Major
- Amisulpride + Sunitinib Major
- Anagrelide + Sunitinib Major
- Apalutamide + Sunitinib Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Sunitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sunitinib with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sunitinib 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. Both venlafaxine and sunitinib can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or existing cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Sunitinib 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: Obtain a baseline ECG and repeat after initiation. Correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities, and reassess therapy if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
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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