Drug interactions
Procarbazine + Sufentanil
Severity: Major
Procarbazine and Sufentanil: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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 MAO-inhibiting properties, and MAOIs given with opioids can cause excessive CNS and respiratory depression, hypotension, or serotonin-type reactions. Sufentanil is a potent opioid, so the risk of severe sedation and cardiovascular instability is clinically important.
What this interaction means in plain words
Procarbazine and Sufentanil 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 belongs to Oncology; Sufentanil belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and hemodynamic depression, with a possible serotonergic contribution from MAO inhibition; the exact mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Avoid sufentanil during procarbazine therapy and for 14 days after stopping it where possible. If an opioid is essential, use small titrated doses and monitor respiration, sedation and blood pressure closely.
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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References
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
Other interactions of Sufentanil
- Alprazolam + Sufentanil Major
- Amitriptyline + Sufentanil Major
- Amobarbital + Sufentanil Major
- Aripiprazole + Sufentanil Major
- Asenapine + Sufentanil Major
- Baclofen + Sufentanil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Procarbazine with Sufentanil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Procarbazine and Sufentanil 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 MAO-inhibiting properties, and MAOIs given with opioids can cause excessive CNS and respiratory depression, hypotension, or serotonin-type reactions. Sufentanil is a potent opioid, so the risk of severe sedation and cardiovascular instability is clinically important.
How serious is the interaction between Procarbazine and Sufentanil?
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 sufentanil during procarbazine therapy and for 14 days after stopping it where possible. If an opioid is essential, use small titrated doses and monitor respiration, sedation and blood pressure closely.
What other medicines interact with Procarbazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Procarbazine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine. The full list is on the Procarbazine page.
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