Drug interactions
Chlorpheniramine + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpheniramine and Meperidine: 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
Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine that can add to opioid drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Anticholinergic effects may also add to those of meperidine, such as confusion in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpheniramine and Meperidine 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.
Chlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects.
What to do
Warn patients about drowsiness and avoid driving; consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Monitor older patients for confusion and urinary retention.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chlorpheniramine and Meperidine, 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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Chlorpheniramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpheniramine with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpheniramine and Meperidine 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. Chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine that can add to opioid drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Anticholinergic effects may also add to those of meperidine, such as confusion in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpheniramine and Meperidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Warn patients about drowsiness and avoid driving; consider a non-sedating antihistamine. Monitor older patients for confusion and urinary retention.
What other medicines interact with Meperidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meperidine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Meperidine 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.
