Effexor (venlafaxine) as having fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants
March 1997
Wyeth is now promoting Effexor (venlafaxine) as having fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants.
Many antidepressants inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. This slows the metabolism of other drugs...allowing their levels to build up and cause toxicity.
For example, Serzone (nefazodone) should not be combined with Seldane (terfenadine) or Hismanal (astemizole)...because of the risk of arrhythmias. Combining Serzone with Prepulsid (cisapride) may cause similar problems.
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