Drug interactions
Ketamine + Lopinavir
Severity: Moderate
Ketamine and Lopinavir: 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
Lopinavir is boosted with ritonavir and acts as a CYP3A4 inhibitor, so ketamine exposure may rise, especially after oral dosing. This may prolong sedation and dissociative effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketamine and Lopinavir 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.
Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Lopinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated ketamine metabolism by ritonavir-boosted lopinavir.
What to do
Titrate ketamine to effect and consider dose reduction. Monitor sedation, blood pressure and heart 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 Ketamine
Other interactions of Lopinavir
- Alfuzosin + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketamine with Lopinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketamine and Lopinavir 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. Lopinavir is boosted with ritonavir and acts as a CYP3A4 inhibitor, so ketamine exposure may rise, especially after oral dosing. This may prolong sedation and dissociative effects.
How serious is the interaction between Ketamine and Lopinavir?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate ketamine to effect and consider dose reduction. Monitor sedation, blood pressure and heart rate.
What other medicines interact with Ketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketamine with, for example, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Brexanolone, Buprenorphine buccal. The full list is on the Ketamine page.
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