Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Etomidate
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol and Etomidate: 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
Etomidate is an intravenous hypnotic used for anesthesia induction, and butorphanol adds opioid sedation and respiratory depression. The combination can deepen anesthesia and increase hypoventilation and hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol and Etomidate 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; Etomidate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A potentiation and opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Use only where airway and ventilatory support are available, and reduce doses of each agent as needed. Monitor oxygenation, ventilation and blood pressure continuously.
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 Etomidate
- Alprazolam + Etomidate Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Etomidate Moderate
- Amobarbital + Etomidate Moderate
- Azelastine + Etomidate Moderate
- Baclofen + Etomidate Moderate
- Brompheniramine + Etomidate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Etomidate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol and Etomidate 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. Etomidate is an intravenous hypnotic used for anesthesia induction, and butorphanol adds opioid sedation and respiratory depression. The combination can deepen anesthesia and increase hypoventilation and hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol and Etomidate?
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 only where airway and ventilatory support are available, and reduce doses of each agent as needed. Monitor oxygenation, ventilation and blood pressure continuously.
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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