Drug interactions
Darunavir + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Darunavir 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
Darunavir, usually given with a booster such as ritonavir or cobicistat, inhibits CYP3A4 and can alter meperidine metabolism. Ritonavir also induces other pathways, so the net effect is unpredictable. It may raise levels of the toxic metabolite normeperidine and cause opioid toxicity or neurotoxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Darunavir 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.
Darunavir belongs to Anti Virals; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition by the boosted protease inhibitor changes meperidine and normeperidine exposure.
What to do
Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and neuroexcitation such as tremor or seizures. Prefer a different opioid if prolonged analgesia is required.
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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Darunavir
- Alfuzosin + Darunavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Darunavir Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Darunavir with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Darunavir 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. Darunavir, usually given with a booster such as ritonavir or cobicistat, inhibits CYP3A4 and can alter meperidine metabolism. Ritonavir also induces other pathways, so the net effect is unpredictable. It may raise levels of the toxic metabolite normeperidine and cause opioid toxicity or neurotoxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Darunavir 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: Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression and neuroexcitation such as tremor or seizures. Prefer a different opioid if prolonged analgesia is required.
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.
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