Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Levocetirizine
Severity: Moderate
Fentanyl and Levocetirizine: 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
Fentanyl is a potent opioid that causes sedation and respiratory depression, and sedating antihistamines can add to the CNS depression. Levocetirizine is less sedating than older antihistamines, but the combination can still increase drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Levocetirizine 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.
Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal; Levocetirizine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor agonism and H1 antagonism.
What to do
Monitor sedation level and respiratory status, particularly at initiation or dose increases. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and other sedatives and not to drive.
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 Levocetirizine
Other interactions of Fentanyl
- Alvimopan + Fentanyl Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Fentanyl Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl with Levocetirizine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fentanyl and Levocetirizine 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. Fentanyl is a potent opioid that causes sedation and respiratory depression, and sedating antihistamines can add to the CNS depression. Levocetirizine is less sedating than older antihistamines, but the combination can still increase drowsiness and impair psychomotor performance.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Levocetirizine?
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 sedation level and respiratory status, particularly at initiation or dose increases. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and other sedatives and not to drive.
What other medicines interact with Levocetirizine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levocetirizine with, for example, Acrivastine, Asenapine transdermal, Avapritinib. The full list is on the Levocetirizine page.
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