Drug interactions
Haloperidol + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Haloperidol and Meperidine: 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
Concurrent use increases sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression through additive CNS effects. Rarely, serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome features may emerge given meperidine's serotonergic activity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Haloperidol and Meperidine 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.
Haloperidol belongs to Central Nervous System; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus possible serotonergic and dopamine-blocking overlap.
What to do
Use reduced opioid doses initially and monitor sedation and respiratory status. Check for hyperthermia, rigidity, clonus or mental status change.
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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Haloperidol
- Dofetilide + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Haloperidol Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Haloperidol + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Haloperidol with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Haloperidol and Meperidine 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. Concurrent use increases sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression through additive CNS effects. Rarely, serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome features may emerge given meperidine's serotonergic activity.
How serious is the interaction between Haloperidol and Meperidine?
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 reduced opioid doses initially and monitor sedation and respiratory status. Check for hyperthermia, rigidity, clonus or mental status change.
What other medicines interact with Meperidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meperidine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Meperidine page.
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