Drug interactions
Dihydroergotamine + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Dihydroergotamine 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
Both drugs act on serotonergic pathways, so the combination could theoretically contribute to serotonin toxicity. Reports of true serotonin syndrome with dihydroergotamine are scarce.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dihydroergotamine 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.
Dihydroergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity (5-HT receptor agonism by dihydroergotamine and serotonin reuptake inhibition by meperidine).
What to do
Monitor for signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, clonus, hyperthermia and diarrhea. Consider an alternative opioid if the patient has additional serotonergic drugs.
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 Dihydroergotamine
- Almotriptan + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dopamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Eletriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dihydroergotamine with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dihydroergotamine 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. Both drugs act on serotonergic pathways, so the combination could theoretically contribute to serotonin toxicity. Reports of true serotonin syndrome with dihydroergotamine are scarce.
How serious is the interaction between Dihydroergotamine 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 signs of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, clonus, hyperthermia and diarrhea. Consider an alternative opioid if the patient has additional serotonergic drugs.
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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