Drug interactions
Meperidine + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Meperidine and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise meperidine levels, potentially increasing opioid effects. Reduced formation of normeperidine may partly offset the risk, so the net outcome is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Nelfinavir 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.
Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated N-demethylation of meperidine.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression and titrate meperidine to effect. Consider an alternative opioid for prolonged therapy.
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 Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meperidine and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise meperidine levels, potentially increasing opioid effects. Reduced formation of normeperidine may partly offset the risk, so the net outcome is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Nelfinavir?
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 sedation and respiratory depression and titrate meperidine to effect. Consider an alternative opioid for prolonged therapy.
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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