Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Oxycodone
Severity: Major
Chloramphenicol and Oxycodone: major 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
Chloramphenicol can inhibit CYP3A4 and has been reported to raise oxycodone concentrations. Higher exposure may cause excess sedation and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Oxycodone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial; Oxycodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated oxycodone metabolism by chloramphenicol reduces its clearance.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression and reduce the oxycodone dose if signs of excess opioid effect appear. Reassess the dose when chloramphenicol is stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chloramphenicol and Oxycodone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Oxycodone
- Alvimopan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chloramphenicol and Oxycodone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Chloramphenicol can inhibit CYP3A4 and has been reported to raise oxycodone concentrations. Higher exposure may cause excess sedation and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression and reduce the oxycodone dose if signs of excess opioid effect appear. Reassess the dose when chloramphenicol is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Oxycodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxycodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxycodone 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.
