Drug interactions
Brimonidine + Fentanyl
Severity: Moderate
Brimonidine and Fentanyl: 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
Brimonidine, particularly with systemic exposure, can cause drowsiness and lower blood pressure, which may add to the sedative and respiratory depressant effects of fentanyl. The risk with ophthalmic use is small, since systemic absorption is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brimonidine and Fentanyl 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.
Brimonidine belongs to Miscellaneous; Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from the alpha-2 agonist action of brimonidine combined with opioid effects.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and hypotension, especially in elderly or opioid-naive patients. Counsel patients about drowsiness.
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 Fentanyl
- Alvimopan + Fentanyl Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Fentanyl Major
Other interactions of Brimonidine
- Brimonidine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brimonidine with Fentanyl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Brimonidine and Fentanyl 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. Brimonidine, particularly with systemic exposure, can cause drowsiness and lower blood pressure, which may add to the sedative and respiratory depressant effects of fentanyl. The risk with ophthalmic use is small, since systemic absorption is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Brimonidine and Fentanyl?
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 for excessive sedation and hypotension, especially in elderly or opioid-naive patients. Counsel patients about drowsiness.
What other medicines interact with Fentanyl?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fentanyl with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Fentanyl page.
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