Drug interactions
Levetiracetam + Opium tincture
Severity: Major
Levetiracetam and Opium tincture: 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
Opium tincture contains morphine and other opioids, which cause sedation and respiratory depression. Levetiracetam adds to drowsiness, increasing the risk of excessive sedation and breathing problems.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levetiracetam and Opium tincture 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.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system and respiratory depression (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Use the lowest effective opioid dose and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Avoid adding further CNS depressants where possible.
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 Levetiracetam and Opium tincture, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Levetiracetam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levetiracetam with Opium tincture?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Levetiracetam and Opium tincture 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. Opium tincture contains morphine and other opioids, which cause sedation and respiratory depression. Levetiracetam adds to drowsiness, increasing the risk of excessive sedation and breathing problems.
How serious is the interaction between Levetiracetam and Opium tincture?
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 opioid dose and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Avoid adding further CNS depressants where possible.
What other medicines interact with Levetiracetam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levetiracetam with, for example, Oliceridine, Sodium oxybate, Sufentanil. The full list is on the Levetiracetam 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.
