Drug interactions
Pentazocine + Procarbazine
Severity: Major
Pentazocine and Procarbazine: 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
Procarbazine has weak MAO-inhibiting properties, so with pentazocine it may enhance CNS depression, cause hypotension, and raise the risk of serotonin toxicity. The clinical data are limited and mostly extrapolated from other MAOIs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pentazocine and Procarbazine 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 belongs to Musculoskeletal; Procarbazine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Weak MAO inhibition by procarbazine may add to the serotonergic and sedative effects of pentazocine.
What to do
Avoid pentazocine during procarbazine therapy and for 14 days after stopping it when possible. If an opioid is unavoidable, use a low dose and monitor for sedation, blood pressure changes and serotonin toxicity.
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 Pentazocine
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Pentazocine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Pentazocine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Pentazocine Major
- Alprazolam + Pentazocine Major
Other interactions of Procarbazine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pentazocine with Procarbazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Pentazocine and Procarbazine 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. Procarbazine has weak MAO-inhibiting properties, so with pentazocine it may enhance CNS depression, cause hypotension, and raise the risk of serotonin toxicity. The clinical data are limited and mostly extrapolated from other MAOIs.
How serious is the interaction between Pentazocine and Procarbazine?
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 pentazocine during procarbazine therapy and for 14 days after stopping it when possible. If an opioid is unavoidable, use a low dose and monitor for sedation, blood pressure changes and serotonin toxicity.
What other medicines interact with Pentazocine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pentazocine with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Pentazocine page.
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