Drug interactions
Sodium oxybate + Tramadol
Severity: Contraindicated
Sodium oxybate and Tramadol: contraindicated 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, and combined use can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Tramadol also lowers the seizure threshold, and sodium oxybate labeling restricts use with other CNS depressants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sodium oxybate and Tramadol are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System; Tramadol belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression from opioid receptor agonism and GABA-B/GHB receptor activity.
What to do
Avoid combined use; if an opioid is unavoidable, use the lowest dose and shortest duration with close monitoring of sedation and respiration, or consider stopping oxybate. Counsel patients and caregivers about warning signs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Tramadol
- Isocarboxazid + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Olanzapine / samidorphan + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Tramadol Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Tramadol Contraindicated
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 Sodium oxybate with Tramadol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Sodium oxybate and Tramadol are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, and combined use can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Tramadol also lowers the seizure threshold, and sodium oxybate labeling restricts use with other CNS depressants.
How serious is the interaction between Sodium oxybate and Tramadol?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combined use; if an opioid is unavoidable, use the lowest dose and shortest duration with close monitoring of sedation and respiration, or consider stopping oxybate. Counsel patients and caregivers about warning signs.
What other medicines interact with Tramadol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tramadol with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Tramadol page.
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