Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Loxapine
Severity: Major
Fentanyl and Loxapine: major 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
Loxapine is a sedating antipsychotic that adds to the CNS and respiratory depression of fentanyl. Hypotension and profound sedation may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Loxapine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal; Loxapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotension from opioid agonism and antipsychotic receptor blockade.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Reduce the dose of one or both drugs if needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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 Loxapine
- Alfentanil + Loxapine Major
- Alprazolam + Loxapine Major
- Amisulpride + Loxapine Major
- Amoxapine + Loxapine Major
- Apomorphine + Loxapine Major
- Belladonna and opium + Loxapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl with Loxapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Fentanyl and Loxapine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Loxapine is a sedating antipsychotic that adds to the CNS and respiratory depression of fentanyl. Hypotension and profound sedation may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Loxapine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Reduce the dose of one or both drugs if needed.
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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