Drug interactions
Lidocaine + Meperidine
Severity: Minor
Lidocaine and Meperidine: minor 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 agents can affect the central nervous system, so systemic lidocaine may add to the sedation of meperidine. Meperidine's metabolite normeperidine and lidocaine can each lower seizure threshold, so neurotoxicity is a theoretical concern at high exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lidocaine and Meperidine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Lidocaine belongs to Cardiovascular; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system effects; the interaction is predicted rather than well characterised.
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation or neurological symptoms when systemic or high-dose lidocaine is given with meperidine. Reduce the dose of either drug if these occur.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lidocaine and Meperidine, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lidocaine
- Bupivacaine liposome + Lidocaine Major
- Disopyramide + Lidocaine Major
- Ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells + Lidocaine Major
- Lidocaine + Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir Major
- Lidocaine + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Major
- Lidocaine + Pimozide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lidocaine with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Lidocaine and Meperidine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both agents can affect the central nervous system, so systemic lidocaine may add to the sedation of meperidine. Meperidine's metabolite normeperidine and lidocaine can each lower seizure threshold, so neurotoxicity is a theoretical concern at high exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Lidocaine and Meperidine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excess sedation or neurological symptoms when systemic or high-dose lidocaine is given with meperidine. Reduce the dose of either drug if these occur.
What other medicines interact with Meperidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meperidine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Meperidine 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.
