Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Fentanyl
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin 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
Cyclosporine may increase fentanyl concentrations and prolong its effect. This raises the risk of excessive sedation and potentially fatal respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin 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.
Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous; Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Cyclosporine inhibits intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4, which is the main pathway of fentanyl clearance.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory rate frequently and reduce the fentanyl dose as needed. Take extra care with transdermal fentanyl and when cyclosporine is started or stopped.
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?
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Other interactions of Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Fentanyl
- Alvimopan + Fentanyl Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Fentanyl Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Fentanyl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin 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. Cyclosporine may increase fentanyl concentrations and prolong its effect. This raises the risk of excessive sedation and potentially fatal respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin 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 sedation and respiratory rate frequently and reduce the fentanyl dose as needed. Take extra care with transdermal fentanyl and when cyclosporine is started or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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