Drug interactions
Meperidine + Methohexital
Severity: Major
Meperidine and Methohexital: 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
Methohexital is a short-acting barbiturate anesthetic and opioids potentiate its sedative and respiratory depressant effects. Hypotension and apnea can occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Methohexital 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.
Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Methohexital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via GABA-A potentiation and opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Use only where airway management and monitoring are available, and reduce the doses of each agent. Titrate to effect with continuous oximetry and capnography.
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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Methohexital
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Methohexital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meperidine and Methohexital 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. Methohexital is a short-acting barbiturate anesthetic and opioids potentiate its sedative and respiratory depressant effects. Hypotension and apnea can occur.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Methohexital?
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 only where airway management and monitoring are available, and reduce the doses of each agent. Titrate to effect with continuous oximetry and capnography.
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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