Drug interactions
Meperidine + Prochlorperazine
Severity: Major
Meperidine and Prochlorperazine: 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 a phenothiazine can intensify sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Meperidine's active metabolite also adds a seizure risk, which phenothiazines may further lower.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Prochlorperazine 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; Prochlorperazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression, with phenothiazine-related lowering of the seizure threshold.
What to do
Use reduced starting doses and monitor respiratory rate, sedation and blood pressure. Consider an alternative opioid to meperidine.
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 Prochlorperazine
- Dronedarone + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Prochlorperazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Prochlorperazine Major
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 Prochlorperazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meperidine and Prochlorperazine 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 a phenothiazine can intensify sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression. Meperidine's active metabolite also adds a seizure risk, which phenothiazines may further lower.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Prochlorperazine?
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 reduced starting doses and monitor respiratory rate, sedation and blood pressure. Consider an alternative opioid to meperidine.
What other medicines interact with Prochlorperazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prochlorperazine with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Prochlorperazine page.
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