Drug interactions
Oxymorphone + Pentazocine
Severity: Major
Oxymorphone and Pentazocine: major 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
Pentazocine is a mixed agonist-antagonist that can reduce the analgesic effect of oxymorphone and precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. It also adds to sedation and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxymorphone and Pentazocine 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.
Oxymorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Pentazocine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Competition at mu-opioid receptors by a partial agonist or antagonist, plus additive CNS depression.
What to do
Avoid combining, especially in opioid-tolerant patients. If unavoidable, monitor for withdrawal, loss of analgesia and respiratory depression.
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?
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Other interactions of Oxymorphone
- Alvimopan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Ethanol + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Oxymorphone Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Oxymorphone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Pentazocine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Pentazocine Major
- Alprazolam + Pentazocine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxymorphone with Pentazocine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Oxymorphone and Pentazocine 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. Pentazocine is a mixed agonist-antagonist that can reduce the analgesic effect of oxymorphone and precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. It also adds to sedation and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Oxymorphone and Pentazocine?
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 combining, especially in opioid-tolerant patients. If unavoidable, monitor for withdrawal, loss of analgesia and respiratory depression.
What other medicines interact with Oxymorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxymorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Ethanol, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Oxymorphone page.
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