Drug interactions
Levorphanol + Maprotiline
Severity: Major
Levorphanol and Maprotiline: 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
Levorphanol is an opioid and maprotiline is a sedating antidepressant. Used together they can cause additive sedation, respiratory depression and psychomotor impairment, and maprotiline may lower the seizure threshold, which opioids can further complicate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levorphanol and Maprotiline 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 CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially during initiation and dose increases. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
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 Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levorphanol with Maprotiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Levorphanol and Maprotiline 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. Levorphanol is an opioid and maprotiline is a sedating antidepressant. Used together they can cause additive sedation, respiratory depression and psychomotor impairment, and maprotiline may lower the seizure threshold, which opioids can further complicate.
How serious is the interaction between Levorphanol and Maprotiline?
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 for sedation and respiratory depression, especially during initiation and dose increases. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
What other medicines interact with Maprotiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Maprotiline with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Disopyramide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Maprotiline page.
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