Drug interactions
Meperidine + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Meperidine and Secobarbital: 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
Barbiturates and opioids cause additive CNS and respiratory depression, with profound sedation or coma at higher doses. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes, which may increase formation of meperidine's neurotoxic metabolite normeperidine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Secobarbital 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; Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression, plus CYP induction by barbiturates increasing normeperidine formation.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible; if used, lower doses and monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness. Consider a non-meperidine 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 Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meperidine and Secobarbital 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. Barbiturates and opioids cause additive CNS and respiratory depression, with profound sedation or coma at higher doses. Barbiturates also induce hepatic enzymes, which may increase formation of meperidine's neurotoxic metabolite normeperidine.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Secobarbital?
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 the combination where possible; if used, lower doses and monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness. Consider a non-meperidine 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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