Drug interactions
Meperidine + Nabilone
Severity: Major
Meperidine and Nabilone: 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
Combining an opioid with nabilone increases sedation, dizziness and cognitive impairment, and respiratory depression is possible. Meperidine's active metabolite can also cause neurotoxicity, which may complicate assessment of CNS effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Nabilone 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; Nabilone belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression from opioid mu-receptor agonism and cannabinoid agonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate, especially after dose changes. Consider an alternative opioid where prolonged therapy is needed.
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 Nabilone
Other interactions of Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Nabilone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meperidine and Nabilone 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. Combining an opioid with nabilone increases sedation, dizziness and cognitive impairment, and respiratory depression is possible. Meperidine's active metabolite can also cause neurotoxicity, which may complicate assessment of CNS effects.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Nabilone?
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 sedation and respiratory rate, especially after dose changes. Consider an alternative opioid where prolonged therapy is needed.
What other medicines interact with Nabilone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nabilone with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Nabilone page.
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