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Drug interactions

Butorphanol + Cyclizine

Severity: Moderate

Butorphanol and Cyclizine: 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

Cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine, and giving it with an opioid can intensify drowsiness and impair alertness. Respiratory depression is less likely but can occur with higher doses or in vulnerable patients.

What this interaction means in plain words

Butorphanol and Cyclizine 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; Cyclizine belongs to Respiratory.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor activity and central H1-antihistamine effects.

What to do

Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate, particularly in elderly or opioid-naive patients. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Butorphanol with Cyclizine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Cyclizine 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. Cyclizine is a sedating antihistamine, and giving it with an opioid can intensify drowsiness and impair alertness. Respiratory depression is less likely but can occur with higher doses or in vulnerable patients.

How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Cyclizine?

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 sedation and respiratory rate, particularly in elderly or opioid-naive patients. Counsel patients to avoid driving and alcohol.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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