Drug interactions
Metoclopramide + Morphine
Severity: Moderate
Metoclopramide and Morphine: 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
Morphine slows gastric emptying and gut motility, opposing metoclopramide's prokinetic action, while both drugs add to CNS depression. Metoclopramide may also speed absorption of oral morphine, increasing peak effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metoclopramide and Morphine 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.
Metoclopramide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Opposing effects on gastrointestinal motility and additive CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor sedation and respiratory rate, especially at initiation and with dose changes. Expect reduced prokinetic benefit and reassess the antiemetic plan if needed.
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 Metoclopramide
Other interactions of Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metoclopramide with Morphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metoclopramide and Morphine 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. Morphine slows gastric emptying and gut motility, opposing metoclopramide's prokinetic action, while both drugs add to CNS depression. Metoclopramide may also speed absorption of oral morphine, increasing peak effect.
How serious is the interaction between Metoclopramide and Morphine?
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 sedation and respiratory rate, especially at initiation and with dose changes. Expect reduced prokinetic benefit and reassess the antiemetic plan if needed.
What other medicines interact with Metoclopramide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metoclopramide with, for example, Amantadine, Amoxapine, Antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol). The full list is on the Metoclopramide page.
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