Drug interactions
Etravirine + Fentanyl
Severity: Moderate
Etravirine and Fentanyl: 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
Etravirine is a CYP3A4 inducer and can lower fentanyl plasma concentrations, reducing analgesia and possibly causing withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. If etravirine is stopped, fentanyl exposure can rise again and cause excess sedation or respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etravirine and Fentanyl 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.
Etravirine belongs to Anti Virals; Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Etravirine induces CYP3A4, increasing the metabolic clearance of fentanyl.
What to do
Monitor pain control and withdrawal signs and titrate the fentanyl dose to effect. When etravirine is discontinued, reduce the fentanyl dose and watch for sedation and respiratory depression.
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 Fentanyl
- Alvimopan + Fentanyl Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Fentanyl Major
Other interactions of Etravirine
- Efavirenz + Etravirine Contraindicated
- Etravirine + Isavuconazole Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Etravirine Major
- Apalutamide + Etravirine Major
- Carbamazepine + Etravirine Major
- Cobicistat + Etravirine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etravirine with Fentanyl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Etravirine and Fentanyl 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. Etravirine is a CYP3A4 inducer and can lower fentanyl plasma concentrations, reducing analgesia and possibly causing withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. If etravirine is stopped, fentanyl exposure can rise again and cause excess sedation or respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Etravirine and Fentanyl?
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 pain control and withdrawal signs and titrate the fentanyl dose to effect. When etravirine is discontinued, reduce the fentanyl dose and watch for sedation and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Fentanyl?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fentanyl with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Fentanyl page.
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