Drug interactions
Cisatracurium + Fentanyl intranasal
Severity: Major
Cisatracurium and Fentanyl intranasal: 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
Fentanyl causes respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension, and these effects add to those of a neuromuscular blocker when ventilation is inadequate. Cisatracurium is given only with ventilatory support, but residual blockade plus opioid effect can delay safe recovery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisatracurium and Fentanyl intranasal 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 respiratory depression from central opioid effect and peripheral neuromuscular blockade.
What to do
Use only in settings with airway and ventilatory support and monitor neuromuscular blockade, respiration and blood pressure. Reduce doses as needed.
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 Cisatracurium and Fentanyl intranasal, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cisatracurium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cisatracurium with Fentanyl intranasal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Cisatracurium and Fentanyl intranasal 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. Fentanyl causes respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension, and these effects add to those of a neuromuscular blocker when ventilation is inadequate. Cisatracurium is given only with ventilatory support, but residual blockade plus opioid effect can delay safe recovery.
How serious is the interaction between Cisatracurium and Fentanyl intranasal?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use only in settings with airway and ventilatory support and monitor neuromuscular blockade, respiration and blood pressure. Reduce doses as needed.
What other medicines interact with Cisatracurium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cisatracurium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Cisatracurium 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.