Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Meprobamate
Severity: Major
Fentanyl and Meprobamate: 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
Meprobamate is a sedative-anxiolytic and fentanyl is a potent opioid, so together they can cause profound sedation and respiratory depression. Opioid combinations with other CNS depressants carry a labeled warning for coma and death.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Meprobamate 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression from opioid receptor agonism and GABAergic sedative effects.
What to do
Reserve the combination for patients with no alternative, use reduced doses and the shortest duration, and monitor respiratory rate and level of sedation. Warn patients against alcohol and driving.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Fentanyl and Meprobamate, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Meprobamate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Fentanyl and Meprobamate 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. Meprobamate is a sedative-anxiolytic and fentanyl is a potent opioid, so together they can cause profound sedation and respiratory depression. Opioid combinations with other CNS depressants carry a labeled warning for coma and death.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Meprobamate?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reserve the combination for patients with no alternative, use reduced doses and the shortest duration, and monitor respiratory rate and level of sedation. Warn patients against alcohol and driving.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
