Drug interactions
Lithium + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Meperidine: 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
Lithium has serotonergic effects, and combining it with meperidine may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Case reports with lithium and other serotonergic drugs exist, but the risk is not well quantified.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Meperidine 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects; lithium enhances serotonin neurotransmission while meperidine inhibits serotonin reuptake.
What to do
Monitor for signs of serotonin toxicity such as tremor, clonus, agitation and hyperthermia. Consider a non-serotonergic opioid if analgesia is needed.
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?
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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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Meperidine 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. Lithium has serotonergic effects, and combining it with meperidine may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Case reports with lithium and other serotonergic drugs exist, but the risk is not well quantified.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Meperidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for signs of serotonin toxicity such as tremor, clonus, agitation and hyperthermia. Consider a non-serotonergic opioid if analgesia is needed.
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.
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