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Opioids Opiate Potentiators (in UK) Used in Conjunction with Venlafaxine/Effexor XR - SSRI's

Rybee

Bluelighter
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
1,305
Hi Guys, I'm after some harm reduction advice with opiate potentiators really,

I currently take 375mg of Venlafaxine which is the highest licensed dose prescribed, technically it's a SNDRI (serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor), and as always it contraindicates with everything with the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome.

On one hand I understand that contraindications are often highlighted even where there's a small possibility of SS occurring. However, on the other hand I do appreciate that SS is a serious, potentially life-threatening, drug reaction.

I have read the 2 mega threads on opiate potentiators but read such conflicting advice and then got in a bit of a muddle when I realised that opiate potentiators aren't generic to all opiates per say. For example some will work fine with Codeine but not so great with Oramorph - or so I believe, please do correct me if I'm wrong. My only doubt/question to this would be that since Codeine is a Morphine pro-drug, surely they will both benefit from the same potentiator? As opposed to Dihydrocodeine which isn't metabolized into Morphine - so different potentiators may be more effect for it?

Whatever potentiator is used it needs to be available OTC in the UK. I've read up on a lot of potentiators but then realise that they are more exclusive to the US or px only.

I will potentiating either Codeine Phosphate or Morphine Sulphate (Oramorph). The most freely available/easiest are below:
- Dextromethorphan (with Venlafaxine = Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
- Promethazine (with Venlafaxine = Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
- Grapefruit Juice (with Venlafaxine = Can't find much solid information, though it does seem likely to affect the Venlafaxine

So to me, Dextromethorphan just doesn't seem worth the risk. Promethazine seems like a fairly safe bet. Grapefruit Juice... I can't see this sending me into seizures?

Apart from them three, are there any other OTC potentiators that I should consider as a form of harm reduction for using in conjunction with Codeine / Oramorph?

I'm fairly new here and though I have grasped the basics I'm not up to scratch with the enzyme actions in Grapefruit Juice etc... so please bear with me!

Really appreciate your help peeps! =)

Rybee :)
 
I'm pretty sure the grapefruit juice is a liver enzyme inhibitor. Since you WANT codeine to metabolize into morphine, this one would be out. That's the extent of my knowledge.
 
I'm pretty sure the grapefruit juice is a liver enzyme inhibitor. Since you WANT codeine to metabolize into morphine, this one would be out. That's the extent of my knowledge.

Aaah this makes sense. Just had a read up on it and yes you are right. So that's ruled out!

Any other advice peeps?
 
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