Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate-atropine + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate-atropine and Ketamine: 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 and ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, so combined use may increase sedation and CNS depression. The risk is greatest with high doses of either drug or in frail patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate-atropine and Ketamine 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-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects from opioid agonism and NMDA antagonism.
What to do
Monitor level of consciousness and respiratory rate when the two are combined. Reduce doses if excessive sedation occurs.
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
Other interactions of Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate-atropine with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate-atropine and Ketamine 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 and ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, so combined use may increase sedation and CNS depression. The risk is greatest with high doses of either drug or in frail patients.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate-atropine and Ketamine?
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 level of consciousness and respiratory rate when the two are combined. Reduce doses if excessive sedation occurs.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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