Drug interactions
Fentanyl + Thalidomide
Severity: Moderate
Fentanyl and Thalidomide: 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
Both drugs cause sedation, and together they may increase drowsiness and respiratory depression. The effect is additive CNS depression and is usually manageable with monitoring and dose adjustment rather than being absolutely prohibited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl and Thalidomide 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; Thalidomide belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depression.
What to do
Counsel patients about additive drowsiness and avoid driving. Use the lowest effective fentanyl dose and monitor sedation and respiratory rate.
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 Thalidomide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl with Thalidomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fentanyl and Thalidomide 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. Both drugs cause sedation, and together they may increase drowsiness and respiratory depression. The effect is additive CNS depression and is usually manageable with monitoring and dose adjustment rather than being absolutely prohibited.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl and Thalidomide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients about additive drowsiness and avoid driving. Use the lowest effective fentanyl dose and monitor sedation and respiratory rate.
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
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