Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Chlorpheniramine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol and Chlorpheniramine: 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
Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine that can intensify opioid drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance. Older adults are at greater risk of confusion and falls.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol and Chlorpheniramine 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.
Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Chlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from central H1-receptor antagonism and opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Counsel against driving and alcohol; consider a non-sedating antihistamine as an alternative.
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 Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
Other interactions of Chlorpheniramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Chlorpheniramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Chlorpheniramine 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. Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine that can intensify opioid drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance. Older adults are at greater risk of confusion and falls.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Chlorpheniramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel against driving and alcohol; consider a non-sedating antihistamine as an alternative.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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