Drug interactions
Trazodone + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Trazodone 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 drugs enhance serotonergic transmission, so combined use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Low-dose trazodone is often used for insomnia alongside antidepressants, and the risk is then generally lower.
What this interaction means in plain words
Trazodone 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.
Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects through reuptake inhibition and receptor activity.
What to do
Use the lowest effective trazodone dose and titrate slowly. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and diarrhoea.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Trazodone with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Trazodone 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 drugs enhance serotonergic transmission, so combined use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Low-dose trazodone is often used for insomnia alongside antidepressants, and the risk is then generally lower.
How serious is the interaction between Trazodone 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: Use the lowest effective trazodone dose and titrate slowly. Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, sweating and diarrhoea.
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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