Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate + Hydromorphone
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate and Hydromorphone: 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
Diphenoxylate is an opioid antidiarrheal that can cause CNS depression, particularly in overdose or in children. Combined with hydromorphone it can add to sedation and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate and Hydromorphone 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.
Diphenoxylate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive opioid-mediated CNS depression.
What to do
Keep diphenoxylate at labeled doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate and Hydromorphone 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. Diphenoxylate is an opioid antidiarrheal that can cause CNS depression, particularly in overdose or in children. Combined with hydromorphone it can add to sedation and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate and Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep diphenoxylate at labeled doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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