Drug interactions
Atracurium + Oxycodone
Severity: Moderate
Atracurium and Oxycodone: moderate 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
Opioids such as oxycodone may add to the effects of neuromuscular blockers like atracurium, prolonging muscle weakness and respiratory depression. This is mainly relevant in the perioperative and intensive care setting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Oxycodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Oxycodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive respiratory depression from opioid central effects; a direct effect on neuromuscular transmission is not well established.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function and ventilation, and titrate the blocker to response. Be prepared for ventilatory support and prolonged recovery.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Oxycodone
- Alvimopan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Other interactions of Atracurium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atracurium and Oxycodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Opioids such as oxycodone may add to the effects of neuromuscular blockers like atracurium, prolonging muscle weakness and respiratory depression. This is mainly relevant in the perioperative and intensive care setting.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular function and ventilation, and titrate the blocker to response. Be prepared for ventilatory support and prolonged recovery.
What other medicines interact with Oxycodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxycodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxycodone page.
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