Drug interactions
Methadone + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Methadone and Zidovudine: 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
Methadone can raise zidovudine exposure, and some patients have shown signs of zidovudine toxicity such as anemia or neutropenia. The effect is generally modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone and Zidovudine 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; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Methadone likely reduces zidovudine glucuronidation and clearance, increasing zidovudine levels.
What to do
Monitor the blood count and for zidovudine adverse effects. Reduce the zidovudine dose if toxicity occurs.
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 Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methadone with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methadone and Zidovudine 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 can raise zidovudine exposure, and some patients have shown signs of zidovudine toxicity such as anemia or neutropenia. The effect is generally modest.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone and Zidovudine?
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 the blood count and for zidovudine adverse effects. Reduce the zidovudine dose if toxicity occurs.
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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