Drug interactions
Methadone + Propofol
Severity: Moderate
Methadone and Propofol: 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
Opioids and propofol have additive sedative and respiratory depressant effects, with a greater risk of hypotension and apnea. Patients on chronic methadone may need altered anesthetic dosing and closer observation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone and Propofol 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; Propofol belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression, with synergistic cardiovascular effects.
What to do
Titrate propofol carefully and use continuous monitoring of oxygenation, ventilation and blood pressure. Ensure airway management capability, and continue baseline methadone unless instructed otherwise.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Methadone and Propofol, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Propofol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methadone with Propofol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methadone and Propofol 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. Opioids and propofol have additive sedative and respiratory depressant effects, with a greater risk of hypotension and apnea. Patients on chronic methadone may need altered anesthetic dosing and closer observation.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone and Propofol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate propofol carefully and use continuous monitoring of oxygenation, ventilation and blood pressure. Ensure airway management capability, and continue baseline methadone unless instructed otherwise.
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
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
