John asked
What would happen if I took ketamine within 5-8 hours of my Effexor XR dose?
At a glance
- The use of ketamine and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) together can result in additive side effects (e.g. dizziness and sedation). However, since ketamine is used for its anaesthetic effects and has a very short duration of action, the interaction isn't considered clinically significant in most cases.
Answer
There is a potential drug interaction between ketamine and Effexor XR, but it is thought to be relatively minor.
Our own interaction checker states the following regarding the combination:
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ketamine is combined with Venlafaxine [Effexor].
I'll go into more detail in the next section, but basically, the use of both can cause additive side effects, such as sedation, dizziness, and drowsiness.
However, seeing how ketamine is used as an anesthetic and has a relatively short duration of action, the interaction with Effexor isn't much of a concern for most individuals.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a sedative-hypnotic drug that is used to provide anesthesia for medical procedures. However, it is also a well-known drug of abuse as it has effects similar to PCP (phencyclidine).[1]
It has a rather complex mechanism of action but mainly works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which produces pronounced analgesia, anesthetic, and dissociative effects.[2]
Ketamine is only available in injectable forms for medical use but can be found in oral dosage forms in illicit products.
It recently has been investigated for the treatment of 'treatment-resistant depression' and has shown promise, but further studies are needed.
What Is Effexor XR?
Effexor XR (venlafaxine) is classified as an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine) antidepressant.
In addition to its use for the treatment of depressive disorders, it also can be used to treat (among other things):[3]
- Anxiety
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Eating disorders
Effexor XR, like all antidepressants, is associated with several well-known side effects including:
- Sedation
- Insomnia
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Weight gain (or loss)
These side effects tend to be most pronounced when first starting therapy, and generally resolve the longer you take the drug.
The Interaction
Taking ketamine with Effexor XR could cause additive side effects, including more pronounced:
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Again though, this interaction isn't of much concern since ketamine (when used as medically indicated) is used for anesthesia purposes.
There are no known cases of more severe side effects occurring with the use of both.
Additionally, ketamine doesn't last very long after it is administered. When used parentally (i.e. injected), it has a duration of action between 10-30 minutes (however, there generally is a few hour 'recovery' time). When used orally, it lasts no more than a couple of hours.[4]
So, overall, while there is an interaction between ketamine and Effexor, it generally isn't overly clinically significant.
