Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between acetaminophen / caffeine / dihydrocodeine and methylene blue

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

methylene blue dihydrocodeine

Applies to: methylene blue and acetaminophen / caffeine / dihydrocodeine

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of narcotic analgesics with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) has been associated with rare reports of anxiety, confusion, hypotension, respiratory depression, cyanosis, and coma. The mechanism of interaction is unknown, but may involve potentiation of central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depressant effects by MAOIs. There have also been reports of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucination, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some opioids such as fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, tapentadol, and tramadol can inhibit serotonin reuptake. However, serotonin syndrome has also occurred with other opioids. Concomitant use of pentazocine with MAOIs may also cause CNS excitation and hypertension through their respective effects on catecholamines.

MANAGEMENT: Narcotic analgesics should generally not be used with MAOIs or other agents that possess MAOI activity (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, methylene blue, procarbazine). At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of MAOI therapy and initiation of treatment with opioids.

References

  1. Browne B, Linter S (1987) "Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and narcotic analgesics: a critical review of the implications for treatment." Br J Psychiatry, 151, p. 210-2
  2. Evans-Prosser CD (1968) "The use of pethidine and morphine in the presence of monoamine oxidase inhibitors." Br J Anaesth, 40, p. 279-82
  3. (2002) "Product Information. MS Contin (morphine)." Purdue Frederick Company
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Roxicodone (oxycodone)." Roxane Laboratories Inc
  5. (2001) "Product Information. Levo-Dromoran (levorphanol)." Roche Laboratories
  6. Garbutt JC (1987) "Potentiation of propoxyphene by phenelzine." Am J Psychiatry, 144, p. 251-2
  7. Zornberg GL, Hegarty JD (1993) "Adverse interaction between propoxyphene and phenelzine." Am J Psychiatry, 150, p. 1270-1
  8. (2001) "Product Information. Tylenol with Codeine (acetaminophen-codeine)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals
  9. Michaels I, Serrins M, Shier NQ, Barash PG (1984) "Anesthesia for cardiac surgery in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors." Anesth Analg, 63, p. 1041-4
  10. (2001) "Product Information. Nubain (nalbuphine)." Endo Laboratories LLC
  11. (2001) "Product Information. Nardil (phenelzine)." Parke-Davis
  12. (2001) "Product Information. Buprenex (buprenorphine)." Reckitt and Colman Pharmaceuticals Inc
  13. (2001) "Product Information. Parnate (tranylcypromine)." SmithKline Beecham
  14. (2001) "Product Information. Marplan (isocarboxazid)." Roche Laboratories
  15. (2006) "Product Information. Emsam (selegiline)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
  16. (2006) "Product Information. Talacen (acetaminophen-pentazocine)." Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc
View all 16 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Major

acetaminophen food

Applies to: acetaminophen / caffeine / dihydrocodeine

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

References

  1. Kaysen GA, Pond SM, Roper MH, Menke DJ, Marrama MA (1985) "Combined hepatic and renal injury in alcoholics during therapeutic use of acetaminophen." Arch Intern Med, 145, p. 2019-23
  2. O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA (1986) "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA, 255, p. 2636-7
  3. Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB (1986) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med, 104, p. 399-404
  4. Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD (1988) "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 245, p. 129-36
  5. McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL (1980) "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA, 244, p. 251-3
  6. Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER (1986) "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med, 105, p. 138-9
  7. Prescott LF, Critchley JA (1983) "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med, 75, p. 113-6
  8. (2002) "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical
  9. Whitcomb DC, Block GD (1994) "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA, 272, p. 1845-50
  10. Bonkovsky HL (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  11. Nelson EB, Temple AR (1995) "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA, 274, p. 301
  12. Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC (1995) "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology, 22, p. 767-73
View all 12 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

caffeine food

Applies to: acetaminophen / caffeine / dihydrocodeine

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

References

  1. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  2. Maish WA, Hampton EM, Whitsett TL, Shepard JD, Lovallo WR (1996) "Influence of grapefruit juice on caffeine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics." Pharmacotherapy, 16, p. 1046-52

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.