Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin 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
Difelikefalin is a peripherally acting kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. With other CNS depressants such as meperidine, sedation may be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin 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.
Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Monitor for drowsiness and dizziness and reduce meperidine dose if excess sedation occurs. Counsel patients about falls and driving.
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 Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difelikefalin with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin 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. Difelikefalin is a peripherally acting kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. With other CNS depressants such as meperidine, sedation may be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin 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 drowsiness and dizziness and reduce meperidine dose if excess sedation occurs. Counsel patients about falls and driving.
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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