Drug interactions
Oxycodone + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Oxycodone and Succinylcholine: 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 can add to the respiratory depression seen after neuromuscular blockade, and some opioids may also modestly potentiate blockade. Prolonged ventilatory depression or delayed recovery of spontaneous breathing may result in the perioperative setting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxycodone and Succinylcholine 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.
Oxycodone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive respiratory depression from central opioid effects combined with peripheral neuromuscular blockade; a direct potentiation of blockade is not well established.
What to do
Ensure controlled ventilation and continuous monitoring of neuromuscular function and respiratory status until full recovery. Titrate opioid doses carefully in the perioperative period.
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 Oxycodone
- Alvimopan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxycodone Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxycodone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxycodone with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxycodone and Succinylcholine 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 can add to the respiratory depression seen after neuromuscular blockade, and some opioids may also modestly potentiate blockade. Prolonged ventilatory depression or delayed recovery of spontaneous breathing may result in the perioperative setting.
How serious is the interaction between Oxycodone and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ensure controlled ventilation and continuous monitoring of neuromuscular function and respiratory status until full recovery. Titrate opioid doses carefully in the perioperative period.
What other medicines interact with Oxycodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxycodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxycodone page.
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