Drug interactions
Pregabalin + Remifentanil
Severity: Major
Pregabalin and Remifentanil: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Pregabalin combined with opioids increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Regulators have warned about this combination, particularly in older patients and those with lung disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pregabalin and Remifentanil 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.
Pregabalin belongs to Central Nervous System; Remifentanil belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system and respiratory depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate, including after the procedure. Consider reducing the remifentanil dose.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Pregabalin and Remifentanil, 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.
References
Other interactions of Remifentanil
- Alvimopan + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Remifentanil Contraindicated
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Remifentanil Major
- Brexanolone + Remifentanil Major
Other interactions of Pregabalin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pregabalin with Remifentanil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Pregabalin and Remifentanil 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. Pregabalin combined with opioids increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Regulators have warned about this combination, particularly in older patients and those with lung disease.
How serious is the interaction between Pregabalin and Remifentanil?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate, including after the procedure. Consider reducing the remifentanil dose.
What other medicines interact with Remifentanil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Remifentanil with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Remifentanil 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.
