Drug interactions
Fentanyl transmucosal + Phenelzine
Severity: Contraindicated
Fentanyl transmucosal and Phenelzine: contraindicated 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
Opioids such as fentanyl can cause severe, unpredictable reactions in patients on MAO inhibitors, including serotonin syndrome and profound CNS or respiratory depression. Labeling advises against use during and within 14 days after MAOI therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fentanyl transmucosal and Phenelzine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Serotonergic activity of fentanyl combined with MAO inhibition, plus additive CNS depression; the exact mechanism of opioid potentiation is incompletely defined.
What to do
Avoid transmucosal fentanyl in patients on phenelzine or within 14 days of stopping it. Use an alternative non-serotonergic analgesic.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Fentanyl transmucosal and Phenelzine, 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 Phenelzine
- 5-HTP + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fentanyl transmucosal with Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Fentanyl transmucosal and Phenelzine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Opioids such as fentanyl can cause severe, unpredictable reactions in patients on MAO inhibitors, including serotonin syndrome and profound CNS or respiratory depression. Labeling advises against use during and within 14 days after MAOI therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Fentanyl transmucosal and Phenelzine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid transmucosal fentanyl in patients on phenelzine or within 14 days of stopping it. Use an alternative non-serotonergic analgesic.
What other medicines interact with Phenelzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenelzine with, for example, 5-HTP, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Phenelzine 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.
