Drug interactions
Papaverine + Sodium oxybate
Severity: Moderate
Papaverine and Sodium oxybate: 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
Sodium oxybate causes marked CNS and respiratory depression. Papaverine has only modest sedative effects, so any additive impact is likely small and poorly documented.
What this interaction means in plain words
Papaverine and Sodium oxybate 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.
Papaverine belongs to Cardiovascular; Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible additive CNS depression; papaverine's sedative effect is weak and the interaction is largely theoretical.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and respiratory depression when starting the combination, and counsel patients to avoid other CNS depressants and alcohol.
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 Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Other interactions of Sodium oxybate
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clonazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clorazepate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Papaverine with Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Papaverine and Sodium oxybate 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. Sodium oxybate causes marked CNS and respiratory depression. Papaverine has only modest sedative effects, so any additive impact is likely small and poorly documented.
How serious is the interaction between Papaverine and Sodium oxybate?
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 for excessive sedation and respiratory depression when starting the combination, and counsel patients to avoid other CNS depressants and alcohol.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Bretylium, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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