The Flecainide is for recently diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation which interacted terribly with Cymbalta (confirmed by two physicians.) Seems there are no antidepressants that do not have adverse interactions with Flecainide, though not as severe as with Cymbalta. I have been on the new med, Pristiq,for about 3 wks and really don't know yet if the two meds are okay together. Since Pristiq is so new, there is no information about interactions with Flecainide available. My horrible experience has me apprehensive and additionally depressed. In researching all other antidepressants there is at least a "moderate" to "severe" interaction with Flecainide. I need some advice which physicians nor pharmacists seem to be able to give me. Any advice, please!!!
Can't take Cymbalta with Flecainide; was recently put on Pristiq. Any adverse interactions?
Question posted by ef11940 on 11 Sep 2010
Last updated on 20 December 2018 by wackattack
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Answers
I am also fairly new to being on Flec and it's causing me depression. Also in the same boat with antidepressants. The only one I see that SEEMS to be fairly safe is Pristiq, but I'm not sure if that is just because it's so new. I know this thread is old, but I found it and have the same question.
Interactions between your selected drugs
duloxetine ↔ desvenlafaxine--monitor major.
Applies to: Cymbalta (duloxetine), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant use of agents with serotonergic activity such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, 5-HT1 receptor agonists, ergot alkaloids, lithium, St. John's wort, phenylpiperidine opioids, dextromethorphan, and tryptophan may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
MANAGEMENT: In general, the concomitant use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible, or otherwise approached with caution if potential benefit is deemed to outweigh the risk. Patients should be closely monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk for serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering serotonergic agents sequentially, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. For example, a 5-week washout period is recommended following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent. If serotonin syndrome develops or is suspected during the course of therapy, all serotonergic agents should be discontinued immediately and supportive care rendered as necessary. Moderately ill patients may also benefit from the administration of a serotonin antagonist (e.g., cyproheptadine, chlorpromazine). Severe cases should be managed under consultation with a toxicologist and may require sedation, neuromuscular paralysis, intubation, and mechanical ventilation in addition to the other measures.
flecainide ↔ duloxetine
Applies to: flecainide, Cymbalta (duloxetine)
MONITOR: Duloxetine is a moderate inhibitor of CYP450 2D6 and may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are substrates of the isoenzyme. According to the product labeling, when duloxetine (60 mg twice a day) was administered in conjunction with a single 50 mg dose of desipramine, a CYP450 2D6 substrate, the systemic exposure (AUC) of desipramine increased 3-fold. Conversely, many CYP450 2D6 substrates can also be competitive or noncompetitive inhibitors of the isoenzyme and may increase the plasma concentrations of duloxetine, which is partially metabolized by CYP450 2D6.
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if duloxetine must be used concomitantly with medications that undergo metabolism by CYP450 2D6, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic range such as tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, beta blockers, and class IC antiarrhythmic agents (e.g., propafenone, flecainide). A lower initial dosage, as well as clinical and laboratory monitoring, may be appropriate for some drugs.
No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with
flecainide interacts with more than 100 other drugs.
Cymbalta (duloxetine) interacts with more than 500 other drugs.
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) interacts with more than 400 other drugs.
Interactions between your selected drugs and food
duloxetine ↔ food
Applies to: Cymbalta (duloxetine)
GENERALLY AVOID: Use of duloxetine in conjunction with chronic alcohol consumption may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Duloxetine alone can increase serum transaminase levels. In clinical trials, 0.3% of patients discontinued duloxetine due to liver transaminase elevations. The median time to detection was about two months. Three duloxetine-treated patients had liver injury as manifested by transaminase and bilirubin elevations, with evidence of obstruction. Substantial intercurrent ethanol use was present in each of these cases, which may have contributed to the abnormalities observed. Duloxetine does not appear to enhance the central nervous system effects of alcohol. When duloxetine and ethanol were administered several hours apart so that peak concentrations of each would coincide, duloxetine did not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol.
MANAGEMENT: Due to the risk of liver injury, patients prescribed duloxetine should be counseled to avoid excessive use of alcohol. Duloxetine should generally not be prescribed to patients with substantial alcohol use.
Take care
Read more: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1094-0,949-2273,2796-12488#ixzz0zEgvgv2P
Related topics
cymbalta, pristiq, atrial fibrillation, flecainide, interaction
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