Drug interactions
Meprobamate + Methadone
Severity: Major
Meprobamate and Methadone: 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combining them can cause excessive sedation, impaired psychomotor performance and respiratory depression. The risk is greatest at treatment initiation, with higher doses, and in patients with respiratory disease or other sedatives on board.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meprobamate and Methadone 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.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system and respiratory depression from an opioid combined with a sedative-anxiolytic carbamate.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible; if needed use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel the patient against driving and alcohol use.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meprobamate with Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Meprobamate and Methadone 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combining them can cause excessive sedation, impaired psychomotor performance and respiratory depression. The risk is greatest at treatment initiation, with higher doses, and in patients with respiratory disease or other sedatives on board.
How serious is the interaction between Meprobamate and Methadone?
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 needed use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel the patient against driving and alcohol use.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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