Drug interactions
Hydromorphone + Nabilone
Severity: Major
Hydromorphone and Nabilone: major 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 and nabilone both depress the CNS, so combined use can cause profound sedation, dizziness and impaired cognition. Respiratory depression is a particular concern at higher opioid doses or in opioid-naive and elderly patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydromorphone and Nabilone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Nabilone belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depressant effects from opioid mu-receptor agonism and cannabinoid agonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses of each drug and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, especially at initiation and after dose increases. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydromorphone and Nabilone, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Nabilone
Other interactions of Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydromorphone with Nabilone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydromorphone and Nabilone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Opioids and nabilone both depress the CNS, so combined use can cause profound sedation, dizziness and impaired cognition. Respiratory depression is a particular concern at higher opioid doses or in opioid-naive and elderly patients.
How serious is the interaction between Hydromorphone and Nabilone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses of each drug and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, especially at initiation and after dose increases. Counsel patients to avoid alcohol and driving.
What other medicines interact with Nabilone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nabilone with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Nabilone 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.
