Drug interactions
Lofexidine + Papaverine
Severity: Moderate
Lofexidine and Papaverine: 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
Lofexidine lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and papaverine is a vasodilator that can also cause hypotension and conduction effects. Together they may increase the risk of hypotension and bradycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lofexidine and Papaverine 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.
Lofexidine belongs to Central Nervous System; Papaverine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects: central alpha-2 agonism by lofexidine with direct vasodilation by papaverine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, especially after starting or increasing doses. Advise patients to rise slowly and reduce doses if symptomatic.
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 Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Other interactions of Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lofexidine with Papaverine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lofexidine and Papaverine 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. Lofexidine lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and papaverine is a vasodilator that can also cause hypotension and conduction effects. Together they may increase the risk of hypotension and bradycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Lofexidine and Papaverine?
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 blood pressure and heart rate, especially after starting or increasing doses. Advise patients to rise slowly and reduce doses if symptomatic.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Bretylium, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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