Drug interactions
Ketamine + Oxymorphone
Severity: Major
Ketamine and Oxymorphone: 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
Ketamine combined with an opioid can intensify sedation and respiratory depression. Although ketamine may reduce opioid requirements, the combined CNS depression requires monitoring.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketamine and Oxymorphone 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.
Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxymorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through opioid receptor agonism and NMDA receptor antagonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation level, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, especially at initiation or dose increases. Provide monitored settings for procedural or high-dose use.
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?
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Other interactions of Oxymorphone
- Alvimopan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Ethanol + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketamine with Oxymorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ketamine and Oxymorphone 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. Ketamine combined with an opioid can intensify sedation and respiratory depression. Although ketamine may reduce opioid requirements, the combined CNS depression requires monitoring.
How serious is the interaction between Ketamine and Oxymorphone?
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 and monitor sedation level, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, especially at initiation or dose increases. Provide monitored settings for procedural or high-dose use.
What other medicines interact with Oxymorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxymorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Ethanol, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxymorphone page.
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