Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Doxylamine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol and Doxylamine: 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
Doxylamine is a strongly sedating antihistamine, and combined with an opioid it can cause marked drowsiness and impaired alertness. Higher doses or vulnerable patients face a risk of respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol and Doxylamine 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; Doxylamine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor agonism and central H1-receptor antagonism.
What to do
Avoid combined use at bedtime in frail or older patients where possible, and monitor sedation and breathing. Advise against 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?
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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 Doxylamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Doxylamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Doxylamine 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. Doxylamine is a strongly sedating antihistamine, and combined with an opioid it can cause marked drowsiness and impaired alertness. Higher doses or vulnerable patients face a risk of respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Doxylamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combined use at bedtime in frail or older patients where possible, and monitor sedation and breathing. Advise against 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.
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