Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Pancuronium
Severity: Moderate
Fentanyl and Pancuronium: 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
Pancuronium is a neuromuscular blocker used with anesthesia and ventilatory support. Fentanyl does not significantly potentiate the blockade itself, but both drugs impair breathing, so the combination is safe only with controlled ventilation. Fentanyl can offset pancuronium's vagolytic tachycardia, which may limit its heart-rate effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Pancuronium 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; Pancuronium belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Opioid respiratory depression combined with neuromuscular blockade; opioid-induced vagal bradycardia is partly counteracted by pancuronium's vagolytic effect.
What to do
Use only where airway control and mechanical ventilation are in place, such as during anesthesia. Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and neuromuscular function.
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 Pancuronium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl with Pancuronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fentanyl and Pancuronium 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. Pancuronium is a neuromuscular blocker used with anesthesia and ventilatory support. Fentanyl does not significantly potentiate the blockade itself, but both drugs impair breathing, so the combination is safe only with controlled ventilation. Fentanyl can offset pancuronium's vagolytic tachycardia, which may limit its heart-rate effect.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Pancuronium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use only where airway control and mechanical ventilation are in place, such as during anesthesia. Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and neuromuscular function.
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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