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Drug Interactions With Meperidine
A number of medications may cause meperidine drug interactions, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors, phenytoin, and tramadol. Taking these medications together may decrease the metabolism of meperidine into normeperidine (the toxic metabolite of meperidine) or increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome or other side effects. To help prevent interactions, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking.
Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol®) can potentially interact with a number of other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with meperidine include (but are not limited to):
- Acyclovir (Zovirax®)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet®)
- Linezolid (Zyvox®)
- Medicines or substances likely to cause drowsiness, including, but not limited to:
- Alcohol
- Antipsychotic medications
- Anxiety medications
- Many antihistamines
- Most antidepressants
- Muscle relaxants
- Other narcotic pain relievers
- Sleep medications
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
- Phenelzine (Nardil®)
- Rasagiline (Azilect®)
- Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
- Amprenavir (Agenerase®)
- Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
- Darunavir (Prezista®)
- Fosamprenavir (Lexiva®)
- Indinavir (Crixivan®)
- Lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra®)
- Nelfinavir (Viracept®)
- Ritonavir (Norvir®)
- Saquinavir (Fortovase®, Invirase®)
- Tipranavir (Aptivus®)
- Sibutramine (Meridia®)
- St. John's wort
- Tramadol (Rybix™ ODT, Ryzolt®, Ultram®, Ultram® ER) or tramadol/acetaminophen (Ultracet®)
- Triptans, including:
- Almotriptan (Axert®)
- Eletriptan (Relpax®)
- Frovatriptan (Frova®)
- Naratriptan (Amerge®)
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt®)
- Sumatriptan (Alsuma™, Imitrex®, Sumavel®, Zecuity™) or sumatriptan/naproxen sodium (Treximet®)
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig®)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD