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Drug interactions

Tranylcypromine + Venlafaxine

Severity: Contraindicated

Tranylcypromine 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

Venlafaxine with tranylcypromine can cause fatal serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis. It is a labeled contraindication.

What this interaction means in plain words

Tranylcypromine 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.

Tranylcypromine belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Irreversible MAO inhibition combined with serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibition causes massive monoamine excess.

What to do

Never coadminister. Wait at least 14 days after stopping tranylcypromine before starting venlafaxine, and at least 7 days after stopping venlafaxine before starting tranylcypromine.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Tranylcypromine with Venlafaxine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Tranylcypromine 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. Venlafaxine with tranylcypromine can cause fatal serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis. It is a labeled contraindication.

How serious is the interaction between Tranylcypromine 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: Never coadminister. Wait at least 14 days after stopping tranylcypromine before starting venlafaxine, and at least 7 days after stopping venlafaxine before starting tranylcypromine.

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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