Drug interactions
Hydromorphone + Lofexidine
Severity: Moderate
Hydromorphone and Lofexidine: 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
Lofexidine is an alpha-2 agonist that causes sedation, bradycardia and hypotension. Together with hydromorphone these effects add up, increasing drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression and low blood pressure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydromorphone and Lofexidine 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.
Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Lofexidine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects from opioid agonism and central alpha-2 adrenergic stimulation.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and sedation, and counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness. Reduce doses if symptomatic.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydromorphone with Lofexidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydromorphone and Lofexidine 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. Lofexidine is an alpha-2 agonist that causes sedation, bradycardia and hypotension. Together with hydromorphone these effects add up, increasing drowsiness and the risk of respiratory depression and low blood pressure.
How serious is the interaction between Hydromorphone and Lofexidine?
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 blood pressure, heart rate and sedation, and counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness. Reduce doses if symptomatic.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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