Drug interactions
Ergotamine + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Ergotamine 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
Ergotamine is a serotonergic agent, and with meperidine's serotonin reuptake inhibition it may raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. Evidence is limited and largely theoretical, though both can cause nausea and sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ergotamine 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.
Ergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Possible additive serotonergic effects; ergotamine acts at serotonin receptors and meperidine inhibits serotonin reuptake.
What to do
Monitor for signs of serotonin toxicity such as agitation, tremor, clonus and hyperthermia. Choose a non-serotonergic analgesic where possible.
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 Ergotamine
- Almotriptan + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ergotamine with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ergotamine 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. Ergotamine is a serotonergic agent, and with meperidine's serotonin reuptake inhibition it may raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. Evidence is limited and largely theoretical, though both can cause nausea and sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Ergotamine 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 toxicity such as agitation, tremor, clonus and hyperthermia. Choose a non-serotonergic analgesic where possible.
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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