Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Nevirapine
Severity: Moderate
Fentanyl and Nevirapine: 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
Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and can lower fentanyl concentrations, reducing analgesia or causing withdrawal in dependent patients. Fentanyl levels may increase after nevirapine is discontinued.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Nevirapine 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; Nevirapine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated fentanyl metabolism by nevirapine.
What to do
Monitor analgesic response and withdrawal symptoms and titrate fentanyl as needed. Reduce the fentanyl dose and monitor for respiratory depression if nevirapine is stopped.
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 Nevirapine
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Nevirapine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + St john's wort Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Nevirapine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Nevirapine Major
- Amobarbital + Nevirapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl with Nevirapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fentanyl and Nevirapine 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. Nevirapine induces CYP3A4 and can lower fentanyl concentrations, reducing analgesia or causing withdrawal in dependent patients. Fentanyl levels may increase after nevirapine is discontinued.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Nevirapine?
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 analgesic response and withdrawal symptoms and titrate fentanyl as needed. Reduce the fentanyl dose and monitor for respiratory depression if nevirapine is stopped.
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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