Drug interactions
Ketamine + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Ketamine and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir is a CYP3A4 inhibitor, so it would be expected to raise ketamine concentrations and prolong or intensify its effects. The legacy direction of effect is not consistent with this mechanism, though the clinical importance is probably small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketamine and Nelfinavir 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; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated ketamine N-demethylation by nelfinavir (with some CYP2B6 effects).
What to do
Monitor for prolonged sedation, dissociative effects and hemodynamic changes, and reduce the ketamine dose if exaggerated effects occur.
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 Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketamine with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketamine and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir is a CYP3A4 inhibitor, so it would be expected to raise ketamine concentrations and prolong or intensify its effects. The legacy direction of effect is not consistent with this mechanism, though the clinical importance is probably small.
How serious is the interaction between Ketamine and Nelfinavir?
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 for prolonged sedation, dissociative effects and hemodynamic changes, and reduce the ketamine dose if exaggerated effects occur.
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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