Drug interactions
Apomorphine + Promethazine
Severity: Major
Apomorphine and Promethazine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
The concurrent use of promethazine and apomorphine may lead to reduced effectiveness of apomorphine, as promethazine can antagonize its effects. This interaction is particularly important to consider in patients relying on apomorphine for therapeutic outcomes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Apomorphine and Promethazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Apomorphine belongs to Central Nervous System; Promethazine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Promethazine acts as an antagonist at dopamine receptors, which may counteract the therapeutic effects of apomorphine, a dopamine agonist.
What to do
It is advisable to avoid the combination of these two medications. If both are necessary for treatment, close monitoring of the patient's response to apomorphine is recommended, and alternative therapies should be considered.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Promethazine
- Cabergoline + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Dopamine + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Promethazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Promethazine Major
Other interactions of Apomorphine
- Alosetron + Apomorphine Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Dolasetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Granisetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Netupitant-palonosetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Ondansetron Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Apomorphine with Promethazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Apomorphine and Promethazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. The concurrent use of promethazine and apomorphine may lead to reduced effectiveness of apomorphine, as promethazine can antagonize its effects. This interaction is particularly important to consider in patients relying on apomorphine for therapeutic outcomes.
How serious is the interaction between Apomorphine and Promethazine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: It is advisable to avoid the combination of these two medications. If both are necessary for treatment, close monitoring of the patient's response to apomorphine is recommended, and alternative therapies should be considered.
What other medicines interact with Promethazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Promethazine with, for example, Cabergoline, Dopamine, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Promethazine page.
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