Is it okay to combine an SSRI (fluoxetine, etc) with an SNRI (Effexor XR, Cymbalta)

July 2011

Is it okay to combine an SSRI (fluoxetine, etc) with an SNRI (Effexor XR, Cymbalta)?

These are sometimes combined to try to improve the antidepressant effect...or to treat multiple conditions.

For example, a patient may end up on an SSRI for depression plus an SNRI for fibromyalgia or pain.

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Table of Contents

Dyslipidemia Lots of patients are asking if they should stop taking niacin (Niaspan, etc) for dyslipidemia
Antiplatelets Brilinta (ticagrelor) will compete with Plavix and Effient
Diabetes Actos might cause bladder cancer
Diabetes how to manage diabetes during fasting
Thyroid Disorders Many older adults get too much levothyroxine (Synthroid, etc)
Antidepressants Oleptro, a new extended-release trazodone for depression
Antidepressants Is it okay to combine an SSRI (fluoxetine, etc) with an SNRI (Effexor XR, Cymbalta)
Respiratory & Allergy Singulair is "as good as" inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting beta-agonists for asthma
Neurology & Pain Abstral (AB-stral) is a new fentanyl sublingual tab for breakthrough pain in cancer patients
Dermatology Verdeso (VER-des-oh) is the first topical corticosteroid FOAM
Infectious Diseases We're running out of antibiotics for multidrug-resistant gram-negative "superbugs"
Statins limiting doses of simvastatin (Zocor, etc)