Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Methadone
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Methadone: 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 modestly raise methadone concentrations, with potential for increased sedation, respiratory depression and QT prolongation. Evidence is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Methadone 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; Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Cyclosporine inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing methadone clearance.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, and consider an ECG in patients with QT risk factors. Reduce the methadone dose if signs of excess opioid effect appear.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Methadone 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 modestly raise methadone concentrations, with potential for increased sedation, respiratory depression and QT prolongation. Evidence is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Methadone?
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 for sedation and respiratory depression, and consider an ECG in patients with QT risk factors. Reduce the methadone dose if signs of excess opioid effect appear.
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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