Drug interactions
Meperidine + Oxycodone
Severity: Major
Meperidine and Oxycodone: 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 two opioid analgesics produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. Sedation, hypotension and breathing difficulty may occur, particularly in opioid-naive, elderly or frail patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Oxycodone 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; Oxycodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive mu-opioid receptor agonism causing pharmacodynamic CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use of two opioids where possible; if needed, use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate. Meperidine's neurotoxic metabolite also argues for choosing an alternative opioid.
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 Oxycodone
- Alvimopan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meperidine and Oxycodone 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 two opioid analgesics produces additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. Sedation, hypotension and breathing difficulty may occur, particularly in opioid-naive, elderly or frail patients.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Oxycodone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use of two opioids where possible; if needed, use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate. Meperidine's neurotoxic metabolite also argues for choosing an alternative opioid.
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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