Venlafaxine

For an informed discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. This information collection is not a clinically validated interaction checker. Missing data do not establish safety. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines on the basis of this information. The findings apply to the specific conditions studied; laboratory and animal studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Active substance: Venlafaxine

Examples of brand names: Trevilor [DE]

ATC code: N06AX16

Main use (for orientation): Depression; anxiety

Documented research summary

An RCT in cannabis use disorder showed poorer abstinence with venlafaxine-XR; secondary analysis suggests withdrawal-like symptoms. Not pharmacokinetic interaction evidence. Serotonin-syndrome/intoxication cases involved extensive polypharmacy; isolated cannabis pair effect undetermined.

Uncertainties and limitations

Oral prolonged-release tablet, not immediate-release; formulation affects the absorption profile.

Shared enzymes must not be equated with clinical evidence of an interaction; CBD/THC findings cannot be extrapolated to other cannabinoids.

Separately recorded findings

2 separately recorded findings. Each statement applies to its documented study context.

Cannabis, composition not standardised – clinically investigated

Finding ID: B0311

Type of result: Cannabis use disorder treatment study; not pharmacokinetic interaction evidence

Observation: Abstinence less frequent than with placebo; mediation analysis suggests symptom overlap.

Mechanism: Withdrawal-like symptoms with venlafaxine-XR as a possible mediator of use

Study type: 103 people, 12-week RCT and secondary analysis of the same cohort

Context studied: Abstinence 11.8% versus 36.5%; psychotherapy in both arms.

Clinical interpretation: Treatment outcome, not a pharmacokinetic interaction

Limitations and uncertainties: Do not count the same cohort twice; not an all-encompassing venlafaxine–cannabis contraindication.

Original sources for this finding: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of venlafaxine-extended release for co-occurring cannabis dependence and depressive disorders. [BMED23297841]; Do withdrawal-like symptoms mediate increased marijuana smoking in individuals treated with venlafaxine-XR? [BMED25283697]

Cannabis, non-standardised composition – clinical signals

Finding ID: B0312

Type of result: Clinical multi-substance intoxications; no isolated pair causality

Observation: Postoperative serotonin syndrome or multi-substance intoxication reported.

Mechanism: Polypharmacy with serotonergic/sympathomimetic substances

Study type: Two different multi-substance settings

Context studied: Additional opioids/stimulants postoperatively; another case involved a 16-year-old with cannabis and a powder mixture of five psychotropic medicines.

Clinical interpretation: No isolated pair interaction

Limitations and uncertainties: Do not attribute causality solely to venlafaxine/cannabis; no CYP evidence. Findings from separate cases, not dosage instructions.

Original sources for this finding: [Postoperative serotonin syndrome in a patient with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and treatment-resistant depression]. [BMED42346977]; Psychoactive cocktail consumption on Reunion Island: a case report. [BMED39953779]

References and access status

[V2_LABEL_D0105] VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VENLAFAXINE) TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE [REMEDYREPACK INC.]

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: REMEDYREPACK INC.

Year: 2026

Source type: Official US SPL / DailyMed

Source access – 23 October 2026: Source destination was accessible when checked.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

[BMED42346977] [Postoperative serotonin syndrome in a patient with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and treatment-resistant depression].

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Aboe Aboe MN, Wege N.

Year: 2026

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.23785/praxis.2026.06.007

PMID: 42346977

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED39953779] Psychoactive cocktail consumption on Reunion Island: a case report.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Guyon J, Maillot A, Bastard S, Weisse F, Daveluy A, Mété D.

Year: 2025

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaf009

PMID: 39953779

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED23297841] A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of venlafaxine-extended release for co-occurring cannabis dependence and depressive disorders.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Levin FR, Mariani J, Brooks DJ, Pavlicova M, Nunes EV, Agosti V, Bisaga A, Sullivan MA, Carpenter KM.

Year: 2013

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1111/add.12108

PMID: 23297841

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – archived text

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED25283697] Do withdrawal-like symptoms mediate increased marijuana smoking in individuals treated with venlafaxine-XR?

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Kelly MA, Pavlicova M, Glass A, Mariani JJ, Bisaga A, Sullivan MA, Nunes EV, Levin FR.

Year: 2014

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.06.040

PMID: 25283697

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – archived text

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

Research as of 23 October 2026. Not all original full texts could be reviewed in full. Source accessibility and the strength of scientific evidence must be assessed separately. An accessible link does not establish medical approval; a bibliographic record with an abstract does not replace the original full text.

Drug search and explanation of the evidence · Guide: cannabinoids and medicines · Author and responsibility