Drug interactions
Meperidine + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Meperidine and Perphenazine: 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
Perphenazine and meperidine produce additive sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Meperidine is also serotonergic, and with dopamine-blocking antipsychotics there are rare reports of serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Perphenazine, a CYP2D6 substrate, adds anticholinergic effects too.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Perphenazine 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; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression plus possible serotonergic and dopamine-blocking pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Use reduced starting doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Watch for hyperthermia, rigidity, clonus or mental status change and stop therapy if they appear.
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 Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meperidine and Perphenazine 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. Perphenazine and meperidine produce additive sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Meperidine is also serotonergic, and with dopamine-blocking antipsychotics there are rare reports of serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Perphenazine, a CYP2D6 substrate, adds anticholinergic effects too.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use reduced starting doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Watch for hyperthermia, rigidity, clonus or mental status change and stop therapy if they appear.
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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