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Drug interactions

Carbinoxamine + Fentanyl

Severity: Moderate

Carbinoxamine 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

Carbinoxamine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties that adds to the CNS depression caused by fentanyl. Combined anticholinergic and opioid effects can also promote urinary retention and severe constipation, which may progress to paralytic ileus.

What this interaction means in plain words

Carbinoxamine 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.

Carbinoxamine belongs to Respiratory; Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression and additive anticholinergic effects on gastrointestinal and urinary smooth muscle with opioid-induced reduction in motility.

What to do

Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression, urinary retention and constipation, and use the lowest effective doses. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine if appropriate.

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 Carbinoxamine with Fentanyl?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbinoxamine 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. Carbinoxamine is a sedating antihistamine with anticholinergic properties that adds to the CNS depression caused by fentanyl. Combined anticholinergic and opioid effects can also promote urinary retention and severe constipation, which may progress to paralytic ileus.

How serious is the interaction between Carbinoxamine 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 sedation, respiratory depression, urinary retention and constipation, and use the lowest effective doses. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine if appropriate.

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.

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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