Can you take Primatene with Venlafaxine?
1 drug interaction and 30 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Primatene (ephedrine/guaifenesin)
- venlafaxine
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
ePHEDrine venlafaxine
Applies to: Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin) and venlafaxine
Both venlafaxine and ePHEDrine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, particularly if you have a history of:
- high blood pressure
- irregular heart rhythm
- heart disease
Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
venlafaxine Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: venlafaxine
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of venlafaxine such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- difficulty concentrating
Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with venlafaxine.
Do not use more than the recommended dose of venlafaxine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Moderate:
ePHEDrine Caffeine
Applies to: Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin)
Both ePHEDrine and caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects.
Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
28 potential interactions Applies to: 22 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and Urinary Tract Infection.
Anorexia/Feeding Problems
Minor:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Bipolar Disorder
Major:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Dehydration
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Depression
Major:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause increases in blood glucose concentrations. These effects are usually transient and slight but may be significant with dosages higher than those normally recommended. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate.
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Ephedrine may produce slight increases in blood glucose concentrations. Therapy with ephedrine should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate. It is important that the recommended dosages of ephedrine are not exceeded.
Failure to Thrive
Minor:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Glaucoma, Narrow Angle
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
High Blood Pressure
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Hyponatremia
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Liver Disease
Major:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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).
Malnourishment
Minor:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Mania
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Pheochromocytoma
Major:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Prostate Tumor, Benign
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Prostate Tumor, Benign.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Major:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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).
Seizures
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
SNRI antidepressants may trigger seizures and should be administered with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.
Urinary Tract Infection
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
Urinary Tract Obstruction
Moderate:
Primatene
The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.
Sympathomimetic agents such as ephedrine have the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In patients with prostate enlargement, urinary difficulty may develop or worsen due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with ephedrine should be administered cautiously in patients with difficulty for urination due to hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate. It is important that the recommended dosages are not exceeded.
Moderate:
venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 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.
More resources
Primatene
A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with Primatene.
- Primatene is in the drug class upper respiratory combinations.
- Primatene is used to treat Cold Symptoms.
venlafaxine
A total of 730 drugs are known to interact with venlafaxine.
- Venlafaxine is in the drug class serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
-
Venlafaxine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Anxiety
- Anxiety and Stress (off-label)
- Autism
- Back Pain
- Bipolar Disorder (off-label)
- Bulimia
- Cataplexy (off-label)
- Depression
- Dissociative Identity Disorder (off-label)
- Fibromyalgia (off-label)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Hot Flashes (off-label)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (off-label)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Migraine (off-label)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (off-label)
- Panic Disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (off-label)
- Postpartum Depression
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (off-label)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Somatoform Pain Disorder (off-label)
- Vulvodynia
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.