Drug interactions
Morphine + Zuranolone
Severity: Major
Morphine and Zuranolone: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid with CNS depressant activity, and morphine adds opioid-related sedation and respiratory depression. Together they can deepen drowsiness and worsen psychomotor impairment, including next-day impairment, and raise the risk of respiratory compromise.
What this interaction means in plain words
Morphine and Zuranolone 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.
Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Zuranolone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through GABA-A positive modulation (zuranolone) and mu-opioid agonism (morphine).
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible; if both are required, reduce the dose of one or both agents and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients not to drive or operate machinery.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Morphine and Zuranolone, 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.
References
Other interactions of Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
Other interactions of Zuranolone
- Alprazolam + Zuranolone Major
- Amobarbital + Zuranolone Major
- Apalutamide + Zuranolone Major
- Asenapine + Zuranolone Major
- Brexpiprazole + Zuranolone Major
- Butorphanol + Zuranolone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Morphine with Zuranolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Morphine and Zuranolone 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. Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid with CNS depressant activity, and morphine adds opioid-related sedation and respiratory depression. Together they can deepen drowsiness and worsen psychomotor impairment, including next-day impairment, and raise the risk of respiratory compromise.
How serious is the interaction between Morphine and Zuranolone?
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 both are required, reduce the dose of one or both agents and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression. Counsel patients not to drive or operate machinery.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine 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.
