Ask a doctor on the topic of Medications

Interactions Tramadol Venlafaxine

April 24, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med Ralf von Seckendorff

I am taking the medication Tramadol 200 mg for severe back pain. Is it dangerous to take Tramadol and the antidepressant Venlafaxine 150 mg at the same time? Or can I take both medications together?

Dr. med Ralf von Seckendorff

Dear questioner,

when combining the antidepressant Venlafaxine with the opiate Tramadol, in rare cases a so-called serotonin syndrome can occur. While this happens very rarely as mentioned, it is a serious, life-threatening situation. Therefore, it should be closely monitored if you are taking these two medications together. You can find a list of symptoms that indicate the onset of serotonin syndrome, for example, here:

http://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/index.php?id=43232.

If anything in this direction occurs, please discontinue the medications immediately and seek medical attention.

Alternatively, discuss with your prescribing doctor about other options for medication.

Best regards and take care.