Drug interactions
Levetiracetam + Remifentanil
Severity: Moderate
Levetiracetam and Remifentanil: 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so giving them together can deepen sedation and slow breathing. The effect is most relevant during anesthesia or in the immediate postoperative period.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levetiracetam and Remifentanil 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.
Levetiracetam belongs to Central Nervous System; Remifentanil belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects of an opioid and an antiepileptic with sedative properties.
What to do
Titrate remifentanil to effect and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate. Reduce the opioid dose if excessive drowsiness develops.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Levetiracetam and Remifentanil, 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 Remifentanil
- Alvimopan + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Remifentanil Major
- Brexanolone + Remifentanil Major
Other interactions of Levetiracetam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levetiracetam with Remifentanil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levetiracetam and Remifentanil 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so giving them together can deepen sedation and slow breathing. The effect is most relevant during anesthesia or in the immediate postoperative period.
How serious is the interaction between Levetiracetam and Remifentanil?
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 remifentanil to effect and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate. Reduce the opioid dose if excessive drowsiness develops.
What other medicines interact with Remifentanil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Remifentanil with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Remifentanil 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.
