Skip to content

Drug interactions

Pentazocine + Sufentanil sl

Severity: Major

Pentazocine and Sufentanil sl: 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

Combining pentazocine with sublingual sufentanil may reduce analgesia and trigger withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. It may also cause hypotension, profound sedation and respiratory depression.

What this interaction means in plain words

Pentazocine and Sufentanil sl 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Mixed agonist-antagonist activity opposing a full mu agonist along with additive CNS and respiratory depression.

What to do

Avoid concurrent use; keep to one opioid. If unavoidable, use minimum doses and monitor respiration, sedation and blood pressure.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Pentazocine and Sufentanil sl, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Pentazocine with Sufentanil sl?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Pentazocine and Sufentanil sl 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. Combining pentazocine with sublingual sufentanil may reduce analgesia and trigger withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. It may also cause hypotension, profound sedation and respiratory depression.

How serious is the interaction between Pentazocine and Sufentanil sl?

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 concurrent use; keep to one opioid. If unavoidable, use minimum doses and monitor respiration, sedation and blood pressure.

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.

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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in