Skip to content

Drug interactions

Dexmedetomidine + Opium tincture

Severity: Moderate

Dexmedetomidine and Opium tincture: 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

Opium tincture contains morphine and other opium alkaloids, which depress the CNS and respiration. With dexmedetomidine, sedation and respiratory depression can be additive, along with hypotension and bradycardia.

What this interaction means in plain words

Dexmedetomidine and Opium tincture 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from mu-opioid agonism and central alpha-2 agonism.

What to do

Start with reduced doses of either agent and monitor sedation, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Titrate carefully and watch for hypotension.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dexmedetomidine and Opium tincture, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Dexmedetomidine with Opium tincture?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexmedetomidine and Opium tincture 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. Opium tincture contains morphine and other opium alkaloids, which depress the CNS and respiration. With dexmedetomidine, sedation and respiratory depression can be additive, along with hypotension and bradycardia.

How serious is the interaction between Dexmedetomidine and Opium tincture?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Start with reduced doses of either agent and monitor sedation, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Titrate carefully and watch for hypotension.

What other medicines interact with Dexmedetomidine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexmedetomidine with, for example, Buprenorphine long-acting, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Dextromoramide. The full list is on the Dexmedetomidine 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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in