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Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is a drug used to treat depression. It is unrelated to other drugs used to treat depression.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—This medication may deplete these substances from the body or interfere with how they work; extra intake may help replenish them. | none |
| May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction and/or prevention—These substances may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.
| none |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—These substances may help this medication work better. | none |
 Avoid: Reduces drug effectiveness—When taking this medication, avoid these substances as they may decrease the medication's absorption and/or activity in the body. | none |
| Avoid: Adverse interaction—When taking this medication, avoid these substances, as the combination may cause undesirable or dangerous interactions. | Sour Date Nut 5-HTP* L-Tryptophan* St. John’s Wort* |
 Check: Explanation needed—When taking this medication, read the article details and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these substances. | Sodium |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Also indexed as:
- Effexor,
- Effexor XR,
- venlafaxine
About this treatment
Interactions with Vitamins
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and L-tryptophan
Venlafaxine, a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been associated with several cases of serotonin syndrome. 5-HTP and L-tryptophan are converted to serotonin in the brain, and taking them with venlafaxine may increase venlafaxine-induced side effects. While no interactions with venlafaxine and 5-HTP or L-tryptophan have been reported, until more is known, people taking venlafaxine are cautioned to avoid 5-HTP or L-tryptophan.
Sodium
One case was reported of a 79-year-old woman with depression treated with venlafaxine who experienced hyponatremia (abnormally low blood levels of sodium). It remains unclear whether this interaction has any but rare ramifications.
Interactions with Herbs
Sour date nut (Ziziphus jujube)
There is one published report of a woman collapsing after taking venlafaxine in combination with the Chinese herbal remedy sour date nut (Ziziphus jujube), although she tolerated venlafaxine by itself without side effects. People taking venlafaxine should not take sour date nut.
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Although there have been no interactions reported in the medical literature, it is best to avoid using venlafaxine with St. John’s wort unless you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Interactions with Foods & Other Compounds
Food
Venlafaxine is recommended to be taken with food.
Alcohol
Venlafaxine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Alcohol may intensify these effects and increase the risk of accidental injury. To prevent problems, people taking venlafaxine should avoid alcohol.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. The Aisle7 knowledgebase does not contain every possible interaction.
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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