Interactions between Effexor and Tacrine

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a minor potential interaction with Anorexia/Feeding Problems.

The use of venlafaxine may occasionally cause significant, dose-dependent weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. The loss of at least 5% of body weight occurred in 6% to 7% of treated patients in premarketing studies, compared to 1% to 2% for placebo. Anorexia may occur in approximately 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if venlafaxine is used in malnourished or underweight patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a major potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

All antidepressants may occasionally cause mania or hypomania, particularly in patients with bipolar disorder. Therapy with antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania/hypomania.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a major potential interaction with Depression.

Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a minor potential interaction with Failure to Thrive.

The use of venlafaxine may occasionally cause significant, dose-dependent weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. The loss of at least 5% of body weight occurred in 6% to 7% of treated patients in premarketing studies, compared to 1% to 2% for placebo. Anorexia may occur in approximately 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if venlafaxine is used in malnourished or underweight patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma, Narrow Angle.

SNRI antidepressants cause pupillary dilation that may trigger an angle closure attack in patients with anatomically narrow angle without iridectomy.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs) have been associated with sustained increases in blood pressure. Therapy with SNRI antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypertension. Blood pressure should be assessed prior to initiating treatment and monitored regularly. The dose should be reduced or discontinued if necessary.

Tacrine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Many of the manifestations of hyperthyroidism may be exacerbated by increased levels of acetylcholine produced by cholinesterase inhibitors. Therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors should be administered cautiously to patients with hyperthyroidism. Monitoring of thyroid levels is recommended.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.

Treatment with SNRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.

Tacrine has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.

The use of cholinesterase inhibitors has been associated with a constriction of coronary arteries. Therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with coronary artery disease.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Venlafaxine is metabolized by the liver, and both the parent drug and metabolites are excreted by the kidney. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from venlafaxine due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with venlafaxine should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function. A reduction in the total daily dosage is recommended. The manufacturer suggests a 50% reduction in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (possibly more in patients with cirrhosis), a 25% reduction in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, and a 50% reduction in patients undergoing hemodialysis (to be administered after dialysis treatment).

Tacrine has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The use of tacrine is contraindicated in patients with a history of tacrine-induced jaundice confirmed by elevated total bilirubin greater than 3.0 mg/dl. Elevations in liver function tests (LFTs) have been reported in as many as 50% of patients receiving tacrine. Twenty-five percent of patients may experience a 3 fold rise in ALT and 7% a 10 fold rise in ALT. LFTs should be monitored prior to initiation of tacrine therapy is initiated and when dosages are altered. Tacrine undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism by the liver (CYP450-1A2) to multiple forms. The metabolic and therapeutic activity of tacrine can be altered in patients with compromised hepatic function and therapy with tacrine should be administered cautiously in these patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a minor potential interaction with Malnourishment.

The use of venlafaxine may occasionally cause significant, dose-dependent weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. The loss of at least 5% of body weight occurred in 6% to 7% of treated patients in premarketing studies, compared to 1% to 2% for placebo. Anorexia may occur in approximately 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if venlafaxine is used in malnourished or underweight patients.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.

Therapy with SNRI antidepressants can cause activation of mania and hypomania and should be used with caution in patients with personal or family history of mania, hypomania, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.

All antidepressants may occasionally cause mania or hypomania, particularly in patients with bipolar disorder. Therapy with antidepressants should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania/hypomania.

Tacrine has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.

Cholinesterase inhibitors should be used with caution in patients with parkinsonism. Some of these drugs might be contraindicated in these patients (refer to specific prescribing information). Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be exacerbated with the increase in cholinergic activity. Caregivers and patients should be advised.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The clearance of SNRI antidepressants is decreased in subjects with renal impairment. SNRIs should be used with caution in this group of patients and a dose adjustment is recommended in those with moderate and severe renal impairment. The use of SNRIs is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Venlafaxine is metabolized by the liver, and both the parent drug and metabolites are excreted by the kidney. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from venlafaxine due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with venlafaxine should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired renal and/or hepatic function. A reduction in the total daily dosage is recommended. The manufacturer suggests a 50% reduction in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (possibly more in patients with cirrhosis), a 25% reduction in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, and a 50% reduction in patients undergoing hemodialysis (to be administered after dialysis treatment).

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

SNRI antidepressants may trigger seizures and should be administered with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Infection.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.

The venlafaxine in Effexor has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.

SNRI antidepressants have a noradrenergic effect and can affect urethral resistance. Caution should be used in patients with a history of dysuria, prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and other lower urinary tract obstructive disorders.