Drug interactions
Chlordiazepoxide + Sufentanil sl
Severity: Major
Chlordiazepoxide and Sufentanil sl: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Combining a benzodiazepine with an opioid such as sublingual sufentanil produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. This can cause profound sedation, hypotension, respiratory failure, coma and death.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlordiazepoxide and Sufentanil sl 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression through GABA-A potentiation by the benzodiazepine and mu-opioid receptor agonism by sufentanil.
What to do
Reserve the combination for patients with no adequate alternatives, using the lowest doses and shortest duration. Monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression, and consider naloxone availability.
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?
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References
Other interactions of Chlordiazepoxide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlordiazepoxide with Sufentanil sl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chlordiazepoxide and Sufentanil sl 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. Combining a benzodiazepine with an opioid such as sublingual sufentanil produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. This can cause profound sedation, hypotension, respiratory failure, coma and death.
How serious is the interaction between Chlordiazepoxide and Sufentanil sl?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reserve the combination for patients with no adequate alternatives, using the lowest doses and shortest duration. Monitor closely for sedation and respiratory depression, and consider naloxone availability.
What other medicines interact with Chlordiazepoxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chlordiazepoxide with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Chlordiazepoxide page.
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