Drug interactions
Esketamine + Suvorexant
Severity: Moderate
Esketamine and Suvorexant: 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
Esketamine and suvorexant both cause sedation and can impair alertness and psychomotor performance. Taking them together may increase next-day drowsiness and impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Esketamine and Suvorexant 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.
Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via NMDA antagonism (esketamine) and orexin receptor antagonism (suvorexant).
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation and counsel the patient to avoid driving or hazardous activity. Consider using the lowest suvorexant dose on esketamine treatment days.
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 Esketamine
Other interactions of Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Esketamine with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Esketamine and Suvorexant 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. Esketamine and suvorexant both cause sedation and can impair alertness and psychomotor performance. Taking them together may increase next-day drowsiness and impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Esketamine and Suvorexant?
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 excess sedation and counsel the patient to avoid driving or hazardous activity. Consider using the lowest suvorexant dose on esketamine treatment days.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
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