Drug interactions
Meperidine + Suvorexant
Severity: Moderate
Meperidine and Suvorexant: 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
Suvorexant is a sedative-hypnotic and meperidine depresses the CNS, so together they can cause additive sedation and impaired psychomotor function. Next-day drowsiness and falls are the main concerns.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine and Suvorexant 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; Suvorexant belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via orexin receptor antagonism and opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and consider reducing suvorexant. Advise patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until the effects are known.
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 Suvorexant
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Suvorexant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meperidine and Suvorexant 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. Suvorexant is a sedative-hypnotic and meperidine depresses the CNS, so together they can cause additive sedation and impaired psychomotor function. Next-day drowsiness and falls are the main concerns.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine and Suvorexant?
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 the lowest effective doses and consider reducing suvorexant. Advise patients to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until the effects are known.
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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