Drug interactions
Valbenazine + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Valbenazine 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 have been associated with QT interval prolongation at higher exposures, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially with other risk factors. The legacy wording about QTc decrease is inaccurate, as the concern is prolongation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Valbenazine 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.
Valbenazine belongs to Central Nervous System; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible additive effects on cardiac repolarization; valbenazine's active metabolite is a CYP2D6 substrate and venlafaxine is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Reassess if palpitations, syncope or QTc prolongation occur.
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 Valbenazine
- Deutetrabenazine + Valbenazine Contraindicated
- Tranylcypromine + Valbenazine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Valbenazine Major
- Amisulpride + Valbenazine Major
- Apalutamide + Valbenazine Major
- Carbamazepine + Valbenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Valbenazine with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Valbenazine 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 have been associated with QT interval prolongation at higher exposures, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially with other risk factors. The legacy wording about QTc decrease is inaccurate, as the concern is prolongation.
How serious is the interaction between Valbenazine 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 in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Reassess if palpitations, syncope or QTc prolongation occur.
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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