Drug interactions
Meperidine + Sumatriptan
Severity: Moderate
Meperidine and Sumatriptan: 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
Meperidine has serotonergic activity and sumatriptan is a 5-HT1B/1D agonist, so the combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Clinical reports are uncommon, but the syndrome can be severe.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Sumatriptan 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; Sumatriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects, with meperidine inhibiting serotonin reuptake and sumatriptan acting as a 5-HT1B/1D agonist.
What to do
Monitor for agitation, tremor, hyperthermia, diarrhea and clonus, especially after dose changes. Prefer a non-serotonergic opioid where possible.
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 Sumatriptan
- Almotriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Sumatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Sumatriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meperidine and Sumatriptan 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 has serotonergic activity and sumatriptan is a 5-HT1B/1D agonist, so the combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Clinical reports are uncommon, but the syndrome can be severe.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Sumatriptan?
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 agitation, tremor, hyperthermia, diarrhea and clonus, especially after dose changes. Prefer a non-serotonergic opioid where possible.
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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