Drug interactions
Methadone + Peginterferon alfa 2b
Severity: Moderate
Methadone and Peginterferon alfa 2b: 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
Peginterferon alfa-2b has been reported to raise methadone concentrations in patients on maintenance therapy. This may intensify opioid effects such as sedation and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone and Peginterferon alfa 2b 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.
Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Peginterferon alfa 2b belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Probable interferon-mediated suppression of hepatic drug metabolism; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor for signs of opioid excess when peginterferon is started and reduce the methadone dose if needed. Reassess after interferon therapy ends.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Peginterferon alfa 2b
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methadone with Peginterferon alfa 2b?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methadone and Peginterferon alfa 2b 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. Peginterferon alfa-2b has been reported to raise methadone concentrations in patients on maintenance therapy. This may intensify opioid effects such as sedation and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone and Peginterferon alfa 2b?
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 signs of opioid excess when peginterferon is started and reduce the methadone dose if needed. Reassess after interferon therapy ends.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
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