Drug interactions
Belladonna and opium + Orphenadrin
Severity: Moderate
Belladonna and opium and Orphenadrin: 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
Both products have anticholinergic activity, and the opium component adds opioid sedation to orphenadrine's CNS effects. Together they can cause marked drowsiness, constipation, urinary retention, dry mouth and confusion, especially in older patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Belladonna and opium and Orphenadrin 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.
Why it happens
Additive antimuscarinic effects plus additive CNS depression from the opioid.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation, urinary retention, ileus and confusion. Avoid in older patients or those with obstructive bowel or urinary disease where possible.
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 Orphenadrin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Belladonna and opium with Orphenadrin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Belladonna and opium and Orphenadrin 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. Both products have anticholinergic activity, and the opium component adds opioid sedation to orphenadrine's CNS effects. Together they can cause marked drowsiness, constipation, urinary retention, dry mouth and confusion, especially in older patients.
How serious is the interaction between Belladonna and opium and Orphenadrin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation, urinary retention, ileus and confusion. Avoid in older patients or those with obstructive bowel or urinary disease where possible.
What other medicines interact with Orphenadrin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Orphenadrin with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Orphenadrin page.
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